The junta is is amassing ground forces for an offensive to retake the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) held Lashio Town in northern Shan State, causing residents to flee the town again.
The junta has increased the number of airstrikes it is carrying out against Lashio and junta troops are massing in Tangyan Township, southeast of Lashio Township. As a result, locals who had fled previous fighting and returned to Lashio Town are beginning to flee again.
"Everyone in Lashio is frightened as the town is being bombed by aircraft almost every day. Most locals have already evacuated once again, and the frequency of airstrikes has significantly increased. Additionally, widespread reports indicate that the junta is preparing for an offensive against Lashio from Tangyan,” said a Lashio resident.
Most of the residents of Lashio Town have already left and the only people remaining are people who have stayed to guard their homes. People working for the MNDAA town administration have also left.
The junta has cut the internet to Lashio Town since 1 October 2024. Also, from 1 to 3 October the junta halted airstrikes on the town, which led to a window of relative calm, but it did not last.
On 4 October junta planes bombed Wards 5 and 8 of Lashio Town causing extensive damage.
On 5 October at about 10:50 am junta aircraft bombed the Computer Science University in Maehan Village Tract in Lashio Township.
On 6 October at 1:35 pm, the junta launched an airstrike on Upper Manaing Village in Lashio Township.
After enduring so many airstrikes business owners in Lashio Town have closed their businesses and joined other Lashio Town residents in fleeing to Kutkai Town in northern Shan State and other townships in southern Shan State.
The aforementioned Lashio resident said: "Right now, we are mainly worried about the threat of airstrikes. At night, no one dares to sleep. Aircraft frequently bombed areas around offices and department buildings where Kokang (MNDAA) troops are likely to be stationed. However, the bombs often miss their intended targets and instead fall into civilian areas, leading to rising civilian casualties. That’s why locals no longer feel safe staying in Lashio and are fleeing.”
Following the MNDAA's takeover of Lashio Town in July, until the end of September, the junta hit the town with at least 25 airstrikes that killed 31 civilians and injured approximately 90 more, according to an MNDAA 2 October statement.
The MNDAA has been working to establish a new administration in Lashio Town, but the high rate of junta airstrikes has hindered its operation.
The Chinese government is currently exerting pressure on the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the MNDAA, to reach a ceasefire agreement with the junta as soon as possible.
But, the junta acquired six new FTC 2000G fighter jets from China on 6 August 2024, according to Justice for Myanmar, and since then they have been used to carry out extensive airstrikes throughout Myanmar.
In early September 2024 the junta launched Operation Yan Aung Min, an ambitious military campaign aimed at retaking its lost territory.
