CNI News
11 October 2025
Local residents displaced by fighting in upper Sagaing Region’s Banmauk Township are in urgent need of food supplies, according to local reports.
The joint military operation to seize Banmauk Town was carried out by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), People’s Defense Force (PDF), and the Kadu Defense Force.
Those fleeing the conflict have taken refuge in areas controlled by the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) in the western part of Banmauk, and others have fled to territories controlled by the KIA-PDF-Kadu joint forces in the south. Some are hiding in the forests, unable to enter any group’s territory.
A resident of Banmauk told CNI News that the displaced people urgently need food, medicine for health care and fuel for transportation.
SNA distributing food to displaced civilians in Banmauk
“Basically, we’re all displaced by the war. Some IDPs have gone into SNA-controlled areas, and some into PDF-controlled zones. In between, there’s no one to help organize aid for the locals. Right now, the most urgent needs are food and shelter. Medicine is also needed, and fuel for travel.”, he said.
Currently, there are around 5,000 displaced people in Banmauk Township.
Of them, over 1,000 have taken refuge in SNA-controlled areas, while others are hiding in the jungle or in areas held by the KIA-PDF-Kadu alliance.
The SNA has been providing food assistance and basic healthcare to 168 displaced persons and over 260 government staff who fled from Khobyin and Nyaung Thaya villages in Banmauk Township.
However, locals say that due to poor phone and road connections in Banmauk, it has been very difficult to deliver humanitarian aid, and so far, neither the government nor international organizations have provided assistance.
“Right now, there’s no one who can help. We don’t even know where people from each village have fled to. There’s no phone signal in those areas. Some places have limited wireless internet access, and that’s how we get a bit of information. Even those who want to help can’t reach the IDPs.”, said another resident.
The Banmauk offensive, launched jointly by the PDF, KIA, and Kadu forces on September 15, led to the capture of Banmauk Town on September 20.
After that, the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw regrouped and launched a counteroffensive on October 4.
Heavy clashes are now taking place around Banmauk Town.
