In carrying out their invasion of Yebyu Township in Tanintharyi Region for an area clearance operation, the Military Council troops abducted approximately 30 locals to be used as human shields, witnesses said.

A combined force comprising the Kanpauk-based Mawyawadi Naval Headquarters and the 273rd Light Infantry Battalion conducted an invasion of Khaungpyan and Diketakaw villages within the Zardi village tract in Yebyu, grabbing approximately 30 villagers, including elderly individuals and women.

"We found out that the military column and the people they arrested were in the Tayotekyauk area near Khayinchaung Monastery on the evening of July 27th. After that day, their whereabouts are unknown”, Zardi villager told NMG.

According to locals, the Military Council troops compelled the captured civilians to serve as human shields, positioning them in front of the military column as they advanced towards the Moe Lone Mountain Range.

At approximately 5:00 am on July 27th, a group of approximately 150 soldiers arrived near the Khaungpyan village monastery in 5 large dump trucks and swiftly commenced arresting the local people.

The Military Council arrested vendors who went to the market early in the morning, along with masons and orchard workers, for no reason , witnesses said.

Among those arrested, a man in his 60s was released that evening, but the remaining individuals were taken by soldiers to be used as human shields. As of August 2nd, there has been no contact with those arrested.

Their families are deeply concerned that if conflict erupts during the trip, those individuals used as human shields might become trapped and lose their lives in the crossfire.

After the incident where the soldiers arrived, most of the people living in the Zardi village tract have fled their homes because they are afraid of the same thing happening again.

Local witnesses have reported that the forces invading the Zardi village tract included not only troops from the Kanpauk-based Mawyawadi Naval Headquarters and the 273rd Light Infantry Battalion but also mufti-clad armed men.