SHAN STATE – Due to the junta council had launched offensive attacks by firing heavy artillery toward Moe Bye Town, Shan (South) State starting from June 28 night, the battles have been resumed.
“I think it was around 10:30 p.m. when I heard the sound. The junta forces fired heavy artillery continuously to the town (Moe Bye). They relied on heavy artillery shots and marched their military column. I didn’t check with my close comrade from the military frontline since night time and there might have been battles. The unstable phone lines were also one of the concerns,” a local said.
“Almost entire town escaped at the beginning except few people left behind and clung to their houses. Hence, they faced junta troops and later being killed. As the battles calmed down a few days ago, some went back to their houses. I am now worried they have been trapped. Since the houses were built by the civilians’ blood and sweat, they might feel worried about their houses being destroyed. I don’t even know rather blame them or pity,” a local man elaborated on how the entire village fled away from their houses while the battles had intense few weeks ago, some returned to their houses once the battle calmed down and some might be trapped in the current intense military situation.
Since the battles started engaging in the early of March and reached intense situation on the middle of June at the 10,000 people living Moe Bye Town, almost entire town have fled away in emergency.
Due to the immediate escape, the civilians could only carry along individual ration and have reportedly faced rations shortage.
In addition, over 4,000 displaced people from Moe Bye have sheltered to the nearest close friends and the Thailand border and as the rest have sheltered in the Internal Displaced People (IDP) camps, IDP camps have been facing more difficulties of food shortages.
“We had been facing food shortage for a long time. But we also could not avert our face from the civilians during their difficult time of not having for stay and food. We must endure and pass through this situation together. We would like to appeal to civilians to help and support each other,” one of the displaced people assisting team members said.
Currently, the military situation has been intense in Karenni State bordering with Moe Bye Region and the junta council announced on June 28 that their junta forces have seized back and been stationed again in strongholds and battalions: Mese Township, junta’s Border Guard Force (BGF-1004) camp and Ywar Thit in Pan Tein Region and BGF-1005 camp in Sut Paing Region which were seized by the revolutionary forces.