Forty Civilians Killed in Myanmar Junta's Offensive on Pa-O Region

The Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) reported these casualties, shedding light on the dire situation in the region.

Staff Reporter

Feb 28, 2024, 08:30 AM2 min read

Forty Civilians Killed in Myanmar Junta's Offensive on Pa-O Region

A Buddhist monastery destroyed by a junta airstrike on Lwal Htwal village in Hsihseng Township in late January. / The People’s Voice

Forty civilians in southern Shan State, Myanmar, have lost their lives due to artillery and airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar junta. The violence unfolded amid clashes with the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) over the past month. Hailing from Hsihseng, Loilen, and Hopong townships, the victims suffered fatalities between January 21 and February 24. The Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) reported these casualties, shedding light on the dire situation in the region.

The PNLA, a signatory of the 2015 National Ceasefire Agreement, is engaged in intense conflict against the Myanmar junta and its ally, the Pa-O National Army (PNA), in the Pa-O autonomous region of southern Shan State. The clashes erupted when junta and PNA soldiers attempted to disarm a PNLA convoy in Sam Hpu village on January 20. Subsequently, on January 24, Hsihseng, a junta-controlled town, faced an attack, leading to its occupation by junta forces. The conflict persists across the Pa-O autonomous region with heavy junta airstrikes and shelling, even targeting non-military sites.

The PYO's report reveals a grim toll from the conflict. The junta launched 293 aerial attacks and 808 shelling strikes, resulting in 40 civilian deaths, 51 injuries, and the destruction of 97 buildings. Among the casualties were two boys and three girls, with five bodies remaining unidentified. The conflict has forced the displacement of 94,300 civilians, seeking refuge in areas such as Taunggyi, Hopong, Nyaung Shwe townships, and Mandalay Region.

The Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the political wing of the PNLA, initially participated in the regime’s “peace talks” since the 2021 coup. However, in late January, the PNLA declared its intention to drive the junta out of Pa-O territory, advocating for the establishment of an administration that allows people to live freely. The conflict escalated on January 31 when the PNLA and its allies killed around 50 junta soldiers near Hsihseng, prompting retaliation with over 100 shells on February 5 and 130 shells on February 24.

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