City of Namkham as seen on November 10
Mizzima
People affiliated with the junta, including soldiers’ and police officers’ families, living in Lashio, Kyaukme, Muse, Hsipaw, and Momeik towns in northern Shan State have been evacuating.
According to residents, personnel associated with the regime, such as municipal and general administration staff, the family of the regional commander, and some United Nations (UN) and International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) staff, have been relocating from Lashio where the Northeastern Military Command is based, to destinations including Mandalay, Taunggyi, and Yangon, since early January.
“Every wife, including the regional commander’s spouse, has left. Everyone, including EPC and traffic police, has relocated,” said a female resident of Lashio.
Similarly, in Kyaukme, family members and individuals associated with the regime have fled to cities where conflicts have not erupted. The departmental offices in Kyaukme were said to have been closed since last November.
“The wife of the Battalion 502 commander fled to Pyin Oo Lwin on 4 January. The army’s defenses were significantly strengthened, and dispersed soldiers were brought back to the base camp in Kyaukme. Some military families are still present in the camp in Kyaukme,” said a resident of Kyaukme.
Following the departure of military families and a majority of employees aligned with the junta, security measures have been heightened, and defences are being put in place in Kyaukme Town at Military Operation Command No. 1, Light Infantry Battalion 501, Light Infantry Battalion 502, Field Artillery Regiment 352, as well as township and district police offices.
In Muse on the border with China families of police officers and employees associated with the military junta have been relocating to other cities since last November. Some employees who are unable to move are reportedly choosing to rent houses independently, instead opting to live in housing provided by the junta, according to local residents.
“Most personnel have relocated. Families that were previously residing in government housing are no longer there. They have opted to rent houses outside,” said a resident of Muse.
Likewise, in Momeik and Hsipaw towns, the families of police personnel and military junta employees fled to other cities in January. Others have vacated their housing in the police station compound and are now renting houses in the town, according to residents.
They also said that there is ongoing fighting in the area of Momeik and Hsipaw towns which has caused civilians from surrounding villages to also flee.
Though there has been no fighting near Lashio Town it is believed that the failure of the third round of talks between the junta and the Three Brotherhood Alliance has prompted residents, including military families and junta personnel, to flee to other cities.
Some Lashio residents have reportedly chosen to remain in the town, but many are concerned that fighting may soon break out in the area.
On 7 January, joint forces successfully captured Military Operation Command No. 16 and gained full control of Hsenwi Town, located just 20 miles away from the Northeastern Military Command in Lashio Tow
