Residents of Wan Hai Township, Shan State, have fled their houses as clashes broke out between the government army and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in the area.
On the morning of October 10, the army attacked SSPP/SSA’s headquarter in Wan Hai using two Air Force planes in response to the death of a military officer in Maung Naung, Kyethi Township, who was shot by the SSPP, according to Col Sai La, a spokesperson for the SSPP/SSA.
The aerial and artillery attacks destroyed a monastery in Wan Hai village and a motorbike. Residents and monks fled from the conflict areas when the fighting began. No one was injured in the attack.
“On the night of November 9, two military aircraft bombed [the SSPP/SSA] headquarters in Wan Hai village. The military has used aerial forces and artillery in its attacks on Kyuma Khaung Camp and the Wan Hai village headquarters since yesterday morning,” said Sai La.
“A motorbike was destroyed during the attack. No one is left in the village. While fleeing from the flash fighting, two Air Force planes bombed the area,” said Nan Kyar Hpu, a war refugee from Wan Hai village.
“I’m afraid of the sound of bombs and heavy weapons. We have no land to flee to. Our lives aren’t secure. We don’t know why they are fighting us,” said Nan Phyu Nu, a child who fled the conflict area.
The SSPP/SSA is one of the ethnic groups that did not participate in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.
About 120 members of the SSA-Wan Hai attacked the Tatmadaw headquarters and police station in Mongnaung, Kyeth