In Tigyaing Township, situated in the Katha District of the Sagaing Region, escalating armed conflicts have extended into downtown areas, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents who have been fleeing the turmoil for nearly a week, according to war-displaced people.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF) have joined forces in an intense battle against the Military Council in Tigyaing Township.

"Today, there is a lull in the fighting, but uncertainty looms over whether the conflict will

flare up again. A prolonged conflict is expected, which would extend the period of suffering for the people”, an internally displaced person (IDP) said on November 13th.

Thousands of residents from Tigyaing downtown, as well as Kokkokone, Thayatmaw, Padaukhla, Myataung, and Phonkonelay villages, sought refuge in the monasteries of Maungkone village, and in Tetaw and Takutchaung villages.

IDPs currently rely on the monastery's rice for sustenance, and the demand for food may escalate rapidly.

"The total number of war-displaced people could be around three thousand, with about 1000 seeking refuge solely in Maungkone. Each monastery has to receive between fifty and a hundred people taking shelter, so the total number of war-displaced people reached several thousand”, a fleeing villager said.

On November 8th, KIA and PDF initiated an offensive against Military Council outposts in downtown Tigyaing, and the confrontations have persisted for approximately a week.

While the clashes were relatively subdued on November 13th, local residents report that the military situation in the region remains tense.

As a result of the conflict in Tigyaing, certain segments of the Mandalay-Myitkyina Road and Mandalay-Bhamo Road are currently closed, leading to the stranding of dozens of passenger vehicles, lorries, and other vehicles.