MYANMAR – Residents told that the fights in Lashio Township and Mogok ceased fire for 4 days between July 14 and 18 and then resumed around 5 a.m. on July 19.
Starting around 5 a.m., the sounds of shooting were heard continuously, and 6 large weapons reportedly exploded on Lashio Township (downtown area). It is reported that intense fighting went on between Shan Hill and the area 41.
“Many phone lines are down in Lashio. Since around 5 a.m., sounds of heavy and small arms were heard. About 6 large weapons fell and exploded. No one dared to go out yet. There may be casualties. It’s dangerous to go out when fight went on so, we could only go out and check when things were calmed down,” said a resident of Lashio.
Similarly, in Mogok Township, the shooting attacks started at around 5:00 a.m. on July 19.Heavy weapons shells fell on civilians’ homes, but no reports of casualties been heard. In eastern Mogok town, there is only one strategic hill of the military council left, and local people say that there are reports that the revolutionary forces will occupy that strategic hill soon.
“In the eastern part of Mogok, there were so much noise. Last night, heavy weapons were being fired. In the eastern part of Mogok, only the military strategic hill is left and there are reports that it will be taken by resistance forces soon. Mogok’s western part (Kyat Pyan area) has already been occupied by the revolutionary forces. Only the eastern part is left. Heavy weapons reportedly fell on people’s houses. But since everyone is fleeing the war, no casualties were reported yet,” said a resident of Mogok.
The fighting in Lashio and Mogok started on June 25 and it has been almost a month today and civilian casualties continue to rise.
