Civilians flee Laiza following military council airstrikes
By Network Media Group
March 8, 2024
After losing more than 10 military camps, the Burma army has launched multiple airstrikes and artillery attacks on the Kachin Independence Organization’s (KIO) Laiza headquarters.
Burma army launched airstrike in Laiza town and surrounded area in the morning of March 8.
“They intentionally attacked civilian areas. Some shells landed in China and near the border checkpoint. Civilians have been fleeing to safer areas yesterday and today. This morning jet fighters flew over Laiza multiple times and launched airstrikes,” a Laiza resident who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons told NMG.
Armed clashes have intensified in areas near Laiza town since 7 March when the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces launched simultaneous attacks on Burma army’s military camps surrounding Laiza town and along the Myitkyina–Bhamo highway. Following these simultaneous attacks, the KIA and its allied troops seized more than 10 military camps from Burma army including Hpun Pyen mountain camp, Bum Ye mountain camp, Hkaya mountain camp and other camps in Kachin State.
Local people said that today the Burma army launched airstrikes that hit Laiza town with bombs and machine gun fire.
“Jet fighters flew over Laiza many times today. Jet fighters also attacked Laiza with machine guns. Laiza has also been attacked by Burma army artillery. The KIA responded to the Burma army attacks by firing heavy weapons into the Burma army’s camps. Jet fighters dropped bombs in Laiza around 9 a.m. today. Some shells landed in China and some shells landed at the entrance of Laiza town,” a local female, who doesn’t want to mention her real name for security reasons, told NMG.
Local people say that most residents of Laiza have already fled to safer areas.
“We had to flee from Laiza. At the beginning, we were not worried about our security. This morning, we decided that we have to flee to a safer area. Now we are hiding in the jungle. There are children and elderly people hiding in the jungle,” the local female told NMG.
On 7 March, artillery shells fired by Burma army soldiers in a nearby mountain camp landed near Woichai IDP camp and other areas in Laiza. The shelling killed 3 civilians including a 9-year old child.
Due to the on-going fighting, NMG has not been able to independently verify the full extent of civilian causalities and property damage in Laiza town.
