Kantarawaddy Times
Despite the absence of battles, the Myanmar military has launched consecutive artillery attacks on villages east of Pekhon Lake in Pekhon Township, near the Shan-Karenni border. The attacks have lasted for three consecutive days since December 15 and have forced some residents to flee their homes, according to local sources.
A local man told Kantarawaddy Times that the villagers who were targeted by artillery shells have fled to nearby villages due to the continuous shelling since December 15. The base that fired the artillery shells is still unknown.
“Artillery fire has been ongoing for a while now. In some villages, shells fall just outside the village, but in others, they land directly inside. In those cases, some people have fled to nearby villages for safety,” said the local man.
Although no battle has occurred in the east of Pekhon Lake, residents remain fearful of being hit by artillery fire. On November 27, artillery attacks by Battalion 421, stationed in Pekhon, resulted in the deaths of six people, including a one-month-old infant, while others sustained injuries.
Civilians have been warned to flee to safer locations by groups supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“Some people have managed to flee, but others are staying behind because they have nowhere else to go. Even though warnings to flee have been shared on social media, those who remain in the villages are staying because they simply have no other options. Some keep staying even though artillery shells are landing in their villages,” said a 25-year-old resident.
The military has been reinforcing its presence in Pekhon and Moebye to dominate the area. Since November, the military has been conducting widespread attacks, including artillery shelling, airstrikes, and drone bombings targeting civilian areas, according to revolutionary forces. Artillery fire into villages has primarily come from military units stationed in Pekhon and Moebye, including Battalions 336, 421, and 442.
