By Ra Wai / MPA
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has announced that they released 78 female soldiers of the State Administration Council (SAC) who had been forcibly conscripted by SAC during the siege of Thibaw (Hsipaw) in northern Shan State. TNLA stated that the release was made on humanitarian grounds.
The TNLA initiated attacks on military outposts in the Hsipaw township on 20 July. After more than two months of fighting, on 13 October, TNLA successfully seized no. 503 and 504 Infantry Battalions, no. 23 Light Infantry Battalion, police stations, and government offices in Hsipaw, according to a statement released on the night of 15 October.
“The capture of Thibaw marks a significant victory for Operation 1027, symbolizing the hoisting of our flag at the highest point amidst intense pressure from China,” a revolutionary fighter based in Lashio told MPA.
The 78 female soldiers were sent back to SAC in four vehicles on 12 October.
During the ongoing siege of Hsipaw, SAC launched a total of 105 airstrikes using jet fighters, 167 air raids with Y-12 aircraft, and fired 1,893 rounds of heavy artillery, eight rockets, and eight Howitzer artillery, according to the TNLA. As a result of the military’s indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas, 33 residents of Hsipaw lost their lives, 80 were injured, and two schools and 47 houses were destroyed by airstrikes.
Throughout the battle, the TNLA captured a variety of weapons, including 155 various guns, six 60 mm mortars, one 81 mm mortar, two RPG launchers, nine machine guns, as well as mines, ammunition, and other military equipment, including Honghuza artillery.
TNLA had successfully seized control of the towns of Naung Hkio,Moegot, Mongmiti, Kyaukme and Hsipaw in the second phase of Operation 1027 by 13 October.
