Following the junta’s aerial attack on MyoMa Market and surrounding wards in Kutkai town, northern Shan State, residents are fleeing to safer areas out of fear of additional attacks.
According to a local woman from Kutkai, following the aerial bombardment by the military on MyoMa Market and surrounding wards on August 5, the entire market area was destroyed by fire, and some homes were damaged. Consequently, residents from these areas have fled to safer locations.
“Residents are deeply concerned and have fled, leaving the town quiet. In wards 3 and 4, nearly every house is locked up, and about two-thirds of residents have fled. Following the loss of the Lashio area, airstrikes also occurred in this region. The junta took no action on Kutkai before losing Lashio. The level of anxiety is indescribable, and it’s difficult to put the situation into words,” she said.
Additionally, residents remaining in the town are living in fear of aerial bombardment, according to locals from Kutkai.
“On August 5, during the aerial attack on MyoMa Market and nearby wards in Kutkai, reports indicate that 6 civilians were killed and 12 others were injured. However, locals say that difficulties with telephone lines are making it hard to get a precise and complete count of the casualties.”
A local woman from Kutkai described the situation: “The aerial attacks were launched twice over two days. The entire market area was burned down. The attack on August 5 destroyed the Kutkai MyoMa market. Aerial bombardment also occurred in ward 3 surrounding the market. Later, more bombardment targeted the former military headquarters and police station. Since only The Ta’ang National Liberation Army(TNLA) troops were stationed there, no casualties have been reported from those areas.”
In Kutkai, controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) is also active. After losing control of Lashio, the military council began aerial bombardment on the areas that had previously been relatively calm and free from conflict.
The northern allied forces have also issued statements condemning the military council’s airstrikes. Additionally, there are calls from international communities, including China, urging intervention to prevent further atrocities committed by the junta military council’s forces.
