SOUTHERN SHAN STATE – On February 24th, 1 month passed in the war in Southern Shan State. The Pa-O Youth Organization announced today, February 26, that 40 civilians were killed and 51 injured during the fighting in Hsihseng.
The fighting between the Junta Council, the PNO militias, and the revolutionary forces, including the PNLA, started on the evening of January 23rd and concluded one month later on February 24th. The fighting in the Hsihseng and Loilem areas started on January 21st after the battle that started in San Phu, Hopong township.
During this period, in addition to the injuries and deaths of civilians, 13 civilians were arrested, and 97 civil buildings were damaged. It is reported that 12 religious buildings were damaged as well.
There were 293 airstrikes and 808 shots of heavy weapons by the junta council, and the number of people fleeing the war is said to be up to 94,300, but there will be more on the ground.
The villages that escaped the war from Hopong, Hsihseng, and Loilem are a total of 120 villages and 6 wards in Hsihseng and Loilem townships.
In the current situation, the military council and subordinate troops stationed heavy weapons on the land of Sasana, which is the replica of the Htansan Shwe Tagong Pagoda, in Hopong township, and fired towards Menaltaung, Mount Loimaw, and Mount Saginaw. The artillery unit based in Saikhaung football ground fired towards Lwalputkalow and Kyaukkacha. The Tumong-based missile forces are also reportedly firing at villages within range without any ground combat.
Those fleeing the war have been fleeing for more than a month; they have run only with the clothes that they are wearing. They have no money and everything left in their houses was stolen, can’t get back home. Again, they were shot with a heavy weapon and died or were injured and living for a long time, so food and necessities for health are increasing, so a lot of help is needed.