In Namhkam Township, situated in northern Shan State, the Military Council utilized aircraft for bombing operations and conducted artillery shelling continuously for a span of two weeks. These attacks resulted in the tragic loss of eight civilian lives and the destruction of approximately 40 buildings, including a monastery and residential homes.
In Namhkam, the Military Council engaged in continuous bombing operations from December 1st to 13th, resulting in the loss of four men and four women, with an additional 16 individuals sustaining injuries.
After 'Operation 1027,'commenced at the end of October, intense clashes between TNLA and the Military Council erupted in Namhkam. Locals said that over 200 civilian homes have been destroyed as a consequence of this conflict.
However with the Junta’s leadership humiliated by a string of losses especially in the Kokang semi -autonomous zone, General Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader had appealed to China to intervene on their behalf and host peace talks in Kunming earlier this week attended by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Whereas China expressed satisfaction with the talks and unofficial reports indicated a very limited 15 day ceasefire agreement with Kokang’s MNDAA( National Democratic Alliance Army). However a Brotherhood Alliance source told ‘The Irrawaddy’ that the peace talks lasted only 10 minutes, and no agreement was made. No official comment on the talks has been made by the alliance.
On December 11th, four residents from Aung Mingalar ward and Pauknay ward sustained injuries as a result of the aerial bombardment carried out by the Junta at the same time when Military Council’s chief was discussing peace talks with China..
On December 12th, amid the ongoing airstrikes conducted by the Military Council, three individuals in Kongsar village were struck by shell fragments, resulting in the unfortunate death of one person.
Likewise, on December 13th, an artillery shell struck the Zayar Thukha monastery compound in Mokham ward of Namhkam Township. The monastery was serving as a temporary shelter camp for those displaced by the conflict. The incident caused damage to the main building, fortunately without causing any injuries.
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) reported that airstrikes and shelling caused damage to 9 houses in Loiohn village, 7 in Palot village, 4 in Mahnlon village, 3 in Nahmseeli village, 3 in Pangsam village, 5 in Nawnghsant, and 10 in Pauknay.
Since the commencement of the clashes, the Military Council has conducted a minimum of 250 airstrikes, with casualties reported on both sides, according to TNLA.
More than 578,000 people have been displaced since October 27 and around 363 killed and 461 injured across the country, according to UN humanitarian relief agency UNOCHA.
