The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed that 10 civilians, including Buddhist nuns, were killed and more than 20 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the military on the Ingyintaung neighborhood in Kyaukme Township of northern Shan State on Saturday. Kyaukme is located 66 miles (106 km) southwest of Lashio along the Mandalay Road. 

“Two 500-pound bombs landed on the neighborhood, killing civilians instantly. The injured civilians are receiving emergency treatment at the hospital. We are conducting a search party as there might have been more [killed],” the TNLA stated on Nov. 30. Twenty-five homes were also reportedly destroyed during the airstrikes, added the TNLA. 

Local media reported that one of the two 500-pound bombs landed at a convent school in Ingyintaung, which killed everyone inside. A Kyaukme resident said that regime troops were deployed in the neighborhood until the TNLA seized control of the town from the military on Aug. 5. 

The TNLA is a member of the Brotherhood Alliance, along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA), which launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.

The Brotherhood Alliance and its allied People’s Defense Force (PDF) has seized control of 14 towns in northern Shan State and neighboring Mandalay Region after it launched an offensive on June 25.  

The TNLA announced on Nov. 25 that it was ready to hold peace talks with the regime in Naypyidaw. In August, Beijing issued a letter to the TNLA to cease its offensive against the military.

The Tai Students’ Union (aka Shan Students’ Union) condemned the military airstrikes on the TNLA in Kyaukme Township as the Shan residents were preparing to celebrate their new year on Nov. 30.