A view of Hsiseng Town, which was destroyed by the Military Council Airstrikes. / Photo: PNLA
Mizzima
The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) has warned civilians not to return to Hsihseng Town in Southern Shan State because it is too dangerous due to ongoing fighting.
Though the junta claimed to have regained control of Hsiseng on 29 March, the reality on the ground is that it is still a warzone, according to PNLA spokesperson, Khun Rein Yan, who said civilians’ lives would be put in danger by gunfire and landmines.
He said: “Presently, Hsihseng Town is engulfed in conflict, with both armies fighting within its borders. Shootings occur almost daily. There has been ongoing fighting since the last week of March. Thus, we advise people not to return to live in the town.”
Khun Rein Yan also highlighted the significant threat posed by unexploded ordnance and landmines planted by junta forces in Hsihseng Town. He recounted an incident on 29 March when a landmine injured two people, one of whom had to have their leg amputated.
He emphasised that people should not believe the junta when it says it has control of Hsiseng Town.
He said: “Those who return to the town may find themselves trapped in the midst of combat due to misinformation. Therefore, I strongly encourage civilians to heed our notifications rather than relying on the Military Council.”
Currently, neither the PNLA nor the junta fully controls Hsiseng Town and it remains a volatile conflict zone where fighting could erupt at any time, according to Nan, a spokesperson for the Pa-O Youth Organisation.
She said: “The civilians are returning primarily to assess the condition of their homes. Currently, they face risks posed by unexploded weapons and landmines scattered throughout the area, which has become a war zone. The situation in Hsihseng is unstable, and I want to urge civilians to return only after receiving announcements from the PNLA and resistance forces.”
Hsiseng Town was seized by the PNLA and resistance forces on 28 February 2024. Then the junta tried to re-take the town by launching many airstrikes and heavy artillery bombardments which have destroyed 90 per cent of the town, according to Hsiseng residents. In March fighting on the ground in Hsiseng Town restarted.
Between 21 January and 23 March 2024 the junta launched 444 airstrikes and 2,252 artillery bombardments on Hsiseng township and the nearby townships of Hopong, and Pinlaung, also in southern
Shan State. These killed 53 civilians and injured a further 68, according to a 26 March Pa-O Youth Organisation report which also says 100,000 civilians have been displaced from those township
