Kayah people express growing concerns over renewed clashes amidst heavy war losses
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Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - Jan 21
The Kayah people, who have suffered heavy losses due to the war, are growing increasingly distressed and concerned about the possibility of renewed clashes.
It is reported that the KNDF and PDF armed coalition groups carried out clashes in the Kayah State capital, Loikaw, and its surrounding areas in 2023. As a result of the fighting, around 70 percent of Loikaw city, including some government offices, was damaged and destroyed, transforming the city into one affected by the war. However, after overcoming many difficulties, Loikaw has managed to regain control from the Tatmadaw, and it has now been over five months since the city successfully retained control.
According to a local resident from Loikaw, who expressed the return situation of locals to Loikaw, "Now, many people have started returning to the city. Areas around South Market, including Kyitharya, Nambawam, and Daotama wards, are becoming lively again. The markets are also becoming quite busy. Many government employees have started returning as well. Around 70 percent to 80 percent of the staff have come back."
In addition, he mentioned, “At an event, the Prime Minister also stated that around 70 percent of the city was destroyed. Furthermore, during the fighting, Loikaw University was completely destroyed. As far as I know, the university’s teachers, have been relocated. The university buildings were damaged at that time, and the return of teachers and staff to the university will likely take around 4 to 6 months, once stability is restored.”
Furthermore, he stated the rehabilitation process in Loikaw has to take much time by saying that “Rebuilding Loikaw as a whole will be very challenging. The people in this area also need to return and work together to reconstruct it. However, this issue remains unresolved and ongoing. As long as the armed conflict continues, it will never be possible. Therefore, it can only be resolved through negotiation. Only by negotiating and ensuring peace can the reconstruction process move forward. Some business owners, especially those in the hotel industry, will face great losses. The entire tourism and hotel sector in Loikaw, a real economic industry, is likely to collapse.”
He remarked the future of Loikaw as, “Loikaw could face renewed clashes. The situation is that Loikaw, located on the eastern front of Naypyidaw, is a large area that can quickly threaten Naypyidaw itself, making it different from other regions. Therefore, the war is likely to continue. As far as I know, both the economy and society in Loikaw have been completely shattered. Some business owners, when entering the city, are finding it very difficult. Hotel owners, in particular, are facing huge losses, as some hotels have even caught fire. When such things happen, the impact of the war is very severe. Because of this, the people of Loikaw are deeply distressed. The losses caused by the war have been tremendous.”