Thousands of displaced Lashio residents return to city after airstrikes halted

Thousands of displaced residents have returned to Lashio in recent weeks, as junta airstrikes on northern Shan State’s largest city have come to a halt amid talk of an end of hostilities in the region, according to local sources. The city returned to some degree of stability after it was taken by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDA), a powerful ethnic armed group, in early August. But the junta launched continuous airstrikes on the city in retaliation, jeopardising the safety of civilians living in the area.The airstrikes ceased after junta chief Min Aung Hlaing visited China in early November, but the city has seen even more security since the MNDAA declared a unilateral ceasefire on December 3.“Currently, people are only moving into the city, and no one is leaving,” a man who returned to Lashio in August told Myanmar Now. “So, it is more crowded than before.” “Nearly all residential wards are filled with residents. But wards 4,9, and 12 remain vacant,” he added.While fighting eased in early August, residents were forced to flee again when the junta started carrying out airstrikes on both urban and rural areas at the end of the month. Local social welfare groups told Myanmar Now that theft and robberies were on the decline after the MNDAA began enforcing the law, including swift arrests and stringent punishments. “Kokang police and security teams made up of local people regularly patrol the city,” a volunteer from Lashio said. “It’s safe even if you go out at night.” Lashio residents also praised the healthcare system restored by the MNDAA since the city was liberated, highlighting that access to health services has noticeably improved. “We no longer need to travel to junta-controlled towns for major surgeries,” a volunteer worker from Lashio said. “We can also purchase medicine at more affordable prices from the hospital.”Medical services within the city had already begun improving since August. Lashio’s only operating hospital started offering free treatment to those injured by junta shelling or other attacks, including giving aid to those coming from other parts of Shan State.Electrical infrastructure has also largely been restored. Although some areas of the city remain without power due to damage from months of fighting, electricity has returned to the majority of the city, according to multiple Lashio residents. “We have a three-day power supply cycle, followed by a one-day outage,” a Lashio resident said. “If they fix the whole power system, we get three months of free electricity before we start paying bills again.”The food and hospitality sector has also seen improvements. Markets, shops, restaurants and even motels and inns are starting to open their doors, but locals are still struggling with conflict-induced lack of employment. While much of the city’s important infrastructure is coming back to life, many schools remain closed, impacting children’s education. “We have a plan to reopen schools, but it will take some time,” a Lashio-based MNDAA spokesperson told Myanmar Now. To fill gaps, some teachers are offering courses to children in town halls. “It feels like I'm living in a new town," another Lashio resident told Myanmar Now. “The situation has changed dramatically. I believe our town will prosper like Laukkai within the next year,” he said, referencing the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, which is also under MNDAA control.

Thousands of displaced Lashio residents return to city after airstrikes halted

Markets, shops, restaurants and even inns are starting to open their doors. But locals are still struggling with conflict-induced lack of employment and gaps in education.

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