Kyinthi Bridge connecting Hsipaw and Kyaukme towns on Mandalay-Lashio Union Highway in Shan State (North) has been mined, causing damage to the middle of the bridge and stopping traffic flow.

"I heard that the Kyinthi Bridge was mined this morning. We have not reached there yet. I'm sure it was blown up. Pictures of the damaged bridge are already online. "I don't think we can have traffic access yet," said a resident of Hsipaw.

According to some local residents, there are armed groups between Hsipaw and Kyaukme, blocking the road.

"Also in Hsipaw, all the shops have been closed since morning. There are hardly any pedestrians on the street. "Upon hearing that the bridge had been demined, many local people stopped going out," said a local resident.

Hsipaw is one of the towns Shan State (North) that attract lots of foreign tourists. It is also a town that generates a lot of tourism income for local residents.

Due to the ongoing fighting near the town of Lashio in Shan State (North), many people fleeing the conflict have taken refuge in temporary shelters located in downtown areas.

There are around 5,000 displaced people sheltering in at least 10 IDP camps in Lashio.

"In Lashio, we heard the sound of heavy weapons firing all morning today. Guns were fired at the army troops in Manai and Konnyaung to southeast of Lashio. So both sides are exchanging fire. We can also hear the sound of rockets being fired," said a resident of Lashio.

This morning in Lashio, the sounds of heavy weapons were heard sporadically, so traffic in the town was low.