As fighting escalated on Wednesday between Burmese government forces and Kachin rebels, more than 1,000 civilians sheltered around the Sino-Burmese border after fleeing their homes to escape the fighting, while about 200 crossed into China, and an unknown number hid in the jungle or were displaced elsewhere.
Several villages were like "ghost towns" after all the residents fled as the conflict neared, said Seng Aung, a source in Laiza, the headquarters of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which is resisting the Burmese army.
Most of the displaced villagers and refuge-seekers were from Momauk, Bhamo, Mansi, Waingmaw and areas near Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
According to community relief workers on the Chinese border, more than 1,000 people, mostly ethnic Kachin, had attempted to cross into China, but only 200—mostly the elderly, children and mothers—were allowed in by the Chinese border security forces. Sources said the Chinese authorities confiscated telephones from refuge-seekers entering the country, and told them not to try to make contact with anyone while they were in China. In the meantime, several local NGOs and community-based organizations in Laiza are supporting those fleeing their homes.
One committee member told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that there is a food and medical supply shortage.
A Chinese activist working with an NGO in Beijing told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that his friends who operate businesses near the Sino-Burmese border had returned home due to the ongoing conflict.
A Chinese website, The People Net, reported that armed clashes had broken out around Tapai hydropower station in Kachin State, which is constructed by a Chinese company. More than 100 Chinese engineers and other construction workers reportedly evacuated the site and returned to China immediately.
Around 200 villagers from Up N-Hkawng Pa village have been displaced into the jungle as they cannot cross into China or enter the border town of Mai Ja Yang, said local sources.
A few days ago, more than 1,000 villagers moved into Mai Ja Yang, a Kachin town bordering China, and more people were attempting to seek refuge there, said the sources.
“Fighting broke out in my village, Katsu, at 2 am [on Wednesday],” said Naw La, a Kachin student. “Most of the villagers had already fled.”
Katsu has around 100 households and is located on the route connecting Bhamo and Myitkyina.
“About 500 people from Katsu fled to Myitkyina and Wai Maw,” said Naw La. “Some are hiding in the jungle. Others went to their relatives' towns. Many headed for China.”
Battles in northern Burma erupted last Thursday after negotiations broke down between the KIA and the Burmese army over a hostage situation. The clashes escalated since then and could lead to a civil war, said observers.
The KIA signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese government in 1994. However, the agreement informally broke down last year after sporadic fighting broke out.
Several villages were like "ghost towns" after all the residents fled as the conflict neared, said Seng Aung, a source in Laiza, the headquarters of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which is resisting the Burmese army.
Most of the displaced villagers and refuge-seekers were from Momauk, Bhamo, Mansi, Waingmaw and areas near Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
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| Map locates fighting between the Burmese government and rebels near the Chinese border. |
According to community relief workers on the Chinese border, more than 1,000 people, mostly ethnic Kachin, had attempted to cross into China, but only 200—mostly the elderly, children and mothers—were allowed in by the Chinese border security forces. Sources said the Chinese authorities confiscated telephones from refuge-seekers entering the country, and told them not to try to make contact with anyone while they were in China. In the meantime, several local NGOs and community-based organizations in Laiza are supporting those fleeing their homes.
One committee member told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that there is a food and medical supply shortage.
A Chinese activist working with an NGO in Beijing told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that his friends who operate businesses near the Sino-Burmese border had returned home due to the ongoing conflict.
A Chinese website, The People Net, reported that armed clashes had broken out around Tapai hydropower station in Kachin State, which is constructed by a Chinese company. More than 100 Chinese engineers and other construction workers reportedly evacuated the site and returned to China immediately.
Around 200 villagers from Up N-Hkawng Pa village have been displaced into the jungle as they cannot cross into China or enter the border town of Mai Ja Yang, said local sources.
A few days ago, more than 1,000 villagers moved into Mai Ja Yang, a Kachin town bordering China, and more people were attempting to seek refuge there, said the sources.
“Fighting broke out in my village, Katsu, at 2 am [on Wednesday],” said Naw La, a Kachin student. “Most of the villagers had already fled.”
Katsu has around 100 households and is located on the route connecting Bhamo and Myitkyina.
“About 500 people from Katsu fled to Myitkyina and Wai Maw,” said Naw La. “Some are hiding in the jungle. Others went to their relatives' towns. Many headed for China.”
Battles in northern Burma erupted last Thursday after negotiations broke down between the KIA and the Burmese army over a hostage situation. The clashes escalated since then and could lead to a civil war, said observers.
The KIA signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese government in 1994. However, the agreement informally broke down last year after sporadic fighting broke out.
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