NAYPYITAW, 26 September 2021, (TON): Thousands of people have once again fled their homes after fighting reignited between two armed groups in northern Shan State last week, prompting calls from locals and prominent politicians for a ceasefire.

Troops loyal to the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) began fighting with forces from the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) in Hohke village tract on September 14, with the former group at one point firing heavy artillery that destroyed two homes.

Both groups call their armed wings by the same name–the Shan State Army–but the SSPP appends the moniker with the word North while the RCSS’s fighters are known as the Shan State Army - South. 

Over 3,000 people have fled their homes, are taking shelter in nearby communities and are in urgent need of aid, said a volunteer who is helping the displaced.

He added that entire villages had to flee once the battles started. Fighting seemed likely to continue and the number of displaced people could therefore increase.

Ten out of 17 villages in the Hohke tract, which is in Mong Kung Township, have seen some or all of their residents flee amid the fighting.