The conflict between the Military Council and the local People’s Defense Forces in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region has escalated, with an increased number of air-strikes inflicting civilian casualties as well as the resistance forces. Airforce planes bombed Natnanton and Kyaunglel in Banmauk township,. at approximately 2:00 pm on March 24.
A local resident said, “their war- planes dropped bombs on Natnanton and Kyaunglel. Many civilians were hit. Four PDFs were killed. There was also fighting on the ground.”
According to a local resident, the aerial bombardment resulted in the deaths of four members of the PDF and several civilians. However due to the continued military tensions in the area, communication by phone is challenging, and an exact list of the injured and deceased is not yet available.
A local youth said, “The fighting is continuing on the ground. Then, the warplane started dropping bombs. On the ground, there are battles with both the Military Council troops and the Shanni troops. The fighting in our area is quite intense. It’s hard to communicate, so we don’t get the news.”
Since the first week of March, a convoy of around 50 military vehicles belonging to the Military Council has been carrying out combat operations towards Indaw-Banmauk in the upper Sagaing Region.
On March 15, the Military Council convoy arrived at Thetkeikyin village on the Indaw-Banmauk road, firing shots as they advanced and claiming to be clearing the area. They also bombarded the village with jet fighters and ultimately entered it, setting it on fire.
According to residents, military forces have been conducting combat operations in Banmauk, Indaw, Kawlin, and Pinlebu townships in Upper Sagaing Division since early March, following the declaration of martial law by the Military Council.
Starting on March 10, a convoy of nearly 50 military vehicles belonging to the Military Council left Madaya Township in Mandalay Region and traveled up the Htigyaing-Katha-Indaw-Bhamo road.
According to residents, they set fire to villages along the way, ransacking them and grabbing valuables.
