Mizzima
About 30 civilians were killed by junta artillery and airstrikes in Momeik Town, northern Shan State between 18 and 23 January.
During that period in Momeik Town there were confrontations between the junta army and combined defence forces from, amongst others, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF), The Kachin People’s Defense Force (PDF) and members of other PDF groups.
30 civilian corpses were discovered by body collectors, according to a Momeik resident who Mizzima talked to on 24 January.
They said: “There is a person in the town who is involved in collecting corpses. I am unsure whether he is working independently or as part of a group. It is estimated that around 40 bodies were buried by 23 January, including the remains of troops affiliated with the Military Council. Among them, approximately 30 are believed to be civilians. On the KIA side, when their soldiers perish, they promptly retrieve them using bags.”
The resident said that they believed more bodies would be found and the death toll would rise.
Fighting is ongoing throughout Momeik Town. Junta airstrikes have destroyed many houses and on 19 January 2024 the town’s market was burned down. About 80 per cent of the population has fled, though there are residents who remain trapped in the town.
Momeik Town is home to the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 348, Infantry Battalion 276, and Infantry Battalion 223.
