A fierce clash occurred between the Military Council and the Pale Defense Force in the Pale Township of Sagaing Region, leading to the Military Council’s deployment of an air support after it suffered significant losses, according to a member of Pale People General Strike Committee.
"The fighting between the resistance forces and the Military Council occurred east of Nweshauk village. The Military Council troops called in a Mi 35 helicopter for air support when they realized they were surrounded. The helicopter provided air support for over an hour, allowing the ground troops to break free. The exact number of enemy casualties is yet to be confirmed, but it is estimated that at least 3 soldiers were killed based on drone surveillance. Satisfyingly, no casualties were reported among our resistance comrades”, he told KNG.
Battalions under the National Unity Government (NUG), local defence forces, and revolutionary teams, including the newly formed Burma National Revolution Army (BNRA) on September 9th, launched a joint attack against the Military Council.
Around noon on September 11th, the 80-member Military Council column was met with an unexpected attack by joint resistance forces after leaving Plae Township.
After desperately but successfully breaking through the intense siege by the joint resistance forces, the Military Council formation sought refuge in Nweshauk village on the night of September 11th. Upon their arrival, the residents of Nweshauk and several neighboring villages evacuated to ensure their safety.
"Upon learning that the soldiers were beginning to leave Pale Township, locals were prepared to evacuate temporarily if needed. Right now, about 8000 residents from four villages are still unable to return home”, a source said.
The fighting caused the temporary evacuation of residents from Ywarthar, Lainkone, Kangyee, Nyaungkone, Phokone, Mangyikhwa, Kyunphokone, Kanpauk, Zaojankone and Myakone villages. Furthermore, residents of Hlawkar, Nweshauk, Kokkokone, and Ingyinsu villages have been unable to return to their homes until now.
Separately, on June 27th, the Military Council conducted aerial bombardments specifically targeting Nyaungkone and Padaukkone villages in Pale Township, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 civilian lives and leaving 6 others injured.
As of August, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reports that the number of war-displaced people in the Sagaing Region, who have fled their homes due to military clashes following the coup, is estimated to be close to 800000.
