On Monday (November 6th), the United Nations expressed concern about the "intense fighting" between the Burmese army and the Northern Minority Alliance in northern Myanmar, which resulted in civilian casualties and the displacement of over 30000 people.
We are shocked by the intense fighting, especially in Shan State in northern Myanmar, where there have been reports of... air strikes leading to civilian casualties and tens of thousands of newly displaced individuals, "said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary General
He added, "Our colleagues in the humanitarian department told us that since October 26th, nearly 33000 men, women, and children have been displaced
He said that Secretary General Antonio Guterres "reiterated that civilians should be protected" and called for humanitarian assistance to be "unimpeded".
Last week, fighting intensified in a large area of Shan State near the Chinese border.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the DeAng National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Rakai Army (AA) claimed on Saturday to have occupied dozens of outposts and four towns, and blocked important trade routes to China.
A few days ago, a spokesperson for the military government referred to the claim of armed groups occupying several towns in Shan State as "propaganda"
This battle is a threat that the Burmese military has never seen since the 2021 coup overthrew the government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Burmese residents, major opposition alliances, and media reported that Burmese armed resistance groups seized the capital of Gaolin Township in Gaolin District, Sittwe Province on Monday, marking the first administrative capital occupied by anti government forces since the military coup.