More than 3,000 local people have reportedly been forced to flee from the military column as the junta troops are patrolling around Oil Well 2 in Myaing Township, Magway Region.
According to Myaing People’s Defense Force, more than 3,000 people from more than 10 villages in the west of Myaing town have been fleeing the war since February 22 until today.
“Villages between Myaing town and Oil Well 2 are fleeing from war. There will be more than 10 villages. All the villages have been fleeing the war for more than 5 days now,” said Bo Letya, in charge of Myaing People’s Defense Force.
The military column is currently stationed in the Myaing Oil Well 2, so locals from more than 10 villages _ including Seikthet, Myosoe, Kanyoe, Wargyitaw, Mangyikone, Gwekone, Kwaltwin and Thaegyi _ are fleeing to nearby villages and forests.
After this column patrolled from Myaing town to Kanni village of Pyu Saw Htee militia for more than 10 days, and then patrolled again from Myaing town to Oil Well 2 in Myaing Township.
“If we started to count the day that the column left to patrol towards Kanni village, it would be since February 7. Local people on this side have been fleeing from the column since February 22. It has been five days until today,” he continued.
The displaced people who urgently fled from war are reportedly facing the problem of hot weather and water scarcity.
“It’s been almost a week now. If it takes longer, it will be more difficult. The main difficult thing is the lack of sufficient water. If we flee from war, we have to find a place near the lake,” said a resident who fled the war.
Bo Letya said that the column arriving in the Oil Well 2 does not dare to go outside.
“The junta troops have been on duty in Oil Well 2 for more than one year, so I think the column has arrived for duty appointment,” he considered.
It has been more than 6 months that rations cannot be sent to Oil Well 2 by ground convoy, and it is only being sent by plane.