Hundreds of locals in Aungmyay-2 village, Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, are trapped amidst clashes, facing the threat of being shot dead by Junta forces, if they attempt to flee.
As of March 8th, Junta troops have obstructed roads with bamboo barriers to hinder villagers from escaping, with negotiations for evacuation still unresolved as of March 10th, according to a source.
"We are exploring multiple options to evacuate the villagers. However, the soldiers have issued dire threats, stating they will shoot any villager attempting to leave. They continue to corral the villagers in the monastery compound, detaining them. Despite efforts from both villagers and religious associations to negotiate, we have yet to achieve any success”, he said.
Despite efforts by local Christian bishops, religious associations, and the Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) to facilitate the evacuation of trapped villagers, there has been no response from the commander of the Junta's northern military region.
As of March 11th, clashes continue between the joint forces led by Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Junta troops near the villages of Aungmay-1 and Aungmyay-2, and trapped residents endure acute food shortages, with casualties reported from artillery shelling.
"We've received distressing reports indicating that the village is facing a dire shortage of food, greatly affecting the children. There are also disturbing reports that the soldiers are
forcing burials of the deceased within the yards in the village. The relentless barrage of artillery, airstrikes, and drone attacks in the area has heightened the urgency for villagers to flee, yet they remain trapped without authorization to leave”, the aforementioned source added.
Almost all residents of Aungmyay-2 village, totaling over 200 households, are presently prohibited from evacuating.
The abbot of Warshawng Monastery, involved in the negotiations, stated they have reached out to the Kachin State chief minister and the regional military commander to facilitate the evacuation of villagers, but they are yet to receive any response.
"We have forwarded our request to the regional military commander via the chief minister, with assistance from PCG. We have also urged KIA to halt operations. Given the urgency of the situation, we are fully prepared to facilitate the villagers' evacuation. Securing permission from the regional military commander is crucial at this point”, the abbot said.
The abbot added that with the water containers in Aungmyay-2 village destroyed by the clashes, the village faces dwindling reserves of drinking water. Negotiators are striving diligently to evacuate the villagers before food supplies are depleted.
Around 1000 residents trapped in Aungmyay-1 village were evacuated to Nawnghee and Sankar villages in Waingmaw Township under the leadership of the Sama Baptist Zonal Office on the evening of March 10th, while efforts to evacuate villagers trapped in Aungmyay-2 village are ongoing.
At present, about 200 Junta forces are deployed in Aungmyay-2 village, while resistance forces led by KIA hold steadfast positions in Aungmyay-1 village.
Junta forces are attempting to launch an offensive to reclaim Aungmyay-1 village, currently under KIA control, while using the villagers of Aungmyay-2 as human shields.
Shwenyaungbin village, bordering Aungmyay-1 and Aungmyay-2 villages, finds itself encircled by KIA forces. With a significant KIA presence in the region, Junta forces are striving to reclaim as much territory as possible.
Since March 7th, KIA has launched attacks on the Shwenyaungbin Junta battalion and the Aungmyay-2 Lisu militia camp in Waingmaw. As of March 11th, the military situation in the region remains tense.
