Residents from seven villages in upper Namya fled from their homes as Military Council columns had reached the Namya checkpoint on the road to Hpakant Township in Kachin State, accroding to residents from Hseng Hpa Yar.
Starting from August 17, approximately 100 troops from Kamaing Township, along with Military Council troops engaged in operations toward Hpakant Township, have converged at the Namya checkpoint. Given the possibility of further military operations in upper Namya, local residents are taking preemptive measures by evacuating the area.
"Presently, the residents are concerned, and some of them have fled towards the upper region. Some have fled towards Namting. Almost all the villages in upper Namya have been evacuated. Those from upper Hkwan Seng have also fled. A significant portion of Hseng Hpa Yar village has also fled," explained a resident of Hseng Hpa Yar village.
The villages currently fleeing comprise Hseng Hpa Yar, Kat Hmaw Zup, Hkwan Seng Zup, Hkrai Run, Gaw Lu Yang, Gat Noi in upper Namya, and Namya itself. At present, more than 40 families have taken refuge at the Namya Christian Church, while some individuals are seeking safety in the homes of their close relatives, as well as in the forest and mountains.
Since the start of August, the Military Council troops have engaged in military operations involving three military vehicles and approximately 150 troops directed towards Hpakant Township. On August 17, as the military operations were initiated from Namti Township, five residents from Kamaing were abducted and used as human shields.
During the morning of August 22, as the Military Council column was departing Kamaing Township en route to Namya, a confrontation occurred in Kyaukhtu village, intercepted by the KIA. Later, the military stationed in Namya fired artillery shells, resulting in damage to several houses in Namya village and causing significant injuries to a woman.
According to travelers, the KIA has cautioned people against using the Kamaing-Hpakant road due to the ongoing offensive by the Military Council column, and they have temporarily closed off access to the road.
"I've heard that the road was temporarily shut down during this battle due to concerns that the military columns might arrest civilians and use them as human shields in the midst of the conflict. Given the presence of these columns, the closure was a security measure. They aimed to secure the route from Namya to Hpakant. I observed that they were on the offensive, especially with the movement of troops from the 33rd Division," recounted Colonel Naw Bu.
Since August 17, the Military Council troops have initiated an offensive along the Namti to Kamaing-Hpakant road. Currently, they are stationed within the military camp located in Namya and are in the process of preparing for upcoming military operations in the upper region, contributing to an escalated tension with the KIA.
Likewise, in April, a Military Council column that initiated an offensive in the Hpakant section of the road apprehended approximately 50 individuals from Hseng Hpa Yar village in upper Namya as human shields. Amidst the conflict, one resident lost their life, and six local women sustained injuries.
