August 20, 2024
More than 20,000 residents from Indaw Township in Upper Sagaing Region have been forced to flee to nearby villages due to the ongoing battle for control of Indaw town. Displaced villagers are now facing severe shortages of food and medicine as roads remain blocked, according to local sources.
The battle to seize India town began on August 15 and has continued for six days. Reports indicate that resistance forces, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF), have successfully captured key military positions, including the Nabala Junction and Nantha Village military bases.
“The town is being hit hard, with shelling and heavy fighting. The air force hasn’t been involved yet, but we’re facing a lot of damage. We don’t know the exact situation in the town because it’s too dangerous to enter. Most of the displaced people are safe, but many have fled to nearby villages like Innywa and others,” said a female displaced person from Indaw, speaking to New Day Myanmar.
Due to the road closures, supplies of food and medicine are becoming scarce. Most of the town’s residents have fled, leaving only a few behind to protect their homes. However, there are reports that some residents have returned to the town after the military warned that unoccupied homes would be seized.
“Food is scarce, and so are medicines. Most people are staying in safer places. In some villages, the prices of food and essentials have skyrocketed, and in others, there’s simply nothing left to buy,” added another local resident.
Before the battle began, the military cut off phone and internet services in Indaw Township. However, by the afternoon of August 20, Ooredoo mobile services were reportedly restored in some areas.
Indaw is strategically located near the border between Sagaing Region and Kachin State, on the Shwebo-Myitkyina road, serving as a key access point into Kachin State. In December 2023, KIA and ABSDF forces captured Mawlu town, located more than 50 miles north of Indaw. Alongside the Indaw battle, resistance forces are also fighting for control of Pinlebu town, where intense fighting continues.
Resistance forces have successfully captured Shwepyiaye, Kanbalu, Mawlu, and Myothit in Sagaing Region, as well as Singu in Mandalay Region.
