Thipaw town in northern Shan State, currently under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), has once again endured aerial bombardment by the military council. Local residents reported that military council forces conducted airstrikes on the town around midnight on July 19. The attacks occurred at 11:40 PM and 11:46 PM, targeting No. 1 Basic Education Post-Primary School and Thipaw Prison quarters.
Due to frequent aerial attacks, most residents of Thipaw have been forced to flee to safer locations. Previously, on July 14, military council airstrikes resulted in the deaths of two civilians – the owner of Shwe Lone Beauty Salon located on the Lashio-Mandalay road and a motorcycle taxi driver. Additionally, on July 4 evening, the military council conducted aerial attacks on civilian infrastructure including the town hospital, its surgical ward, and the Agriculture Office near Nam Pawt Bridge.
These ongoing attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and threatening lives and property have caused widespread fear among local residents, leading to an increasing number of internally displaced persons. As of now, there have been no confirmed casualties from the previous night’s bombardment. The military council’s persistent targeting of civilian areas, including educational institutions and medical facilities, has created a humanitarian crisis in the region, with many residents forced to abandon their homes and businesses in search of safety. The pattern of attacks demonstrates a concerning disregard for civilian safety and international humanitarian law principles regarding the protection of civilian infrastructure.
