A fleet of junta military vessels moving upstream along the Ayeyarwady River resumed its journey from Htigyaing Township on the morning of 23 July, according to the Htigyaing Revolution (TR) group.

The fleet, composed of cargo ships and river warships enroute to Bhamo, halted overnight in Htigyaing on 22 July before continuing its advance. As of 11:15 am on 23 July, the vessels were reportedly near Dingyi Kya village in Htigyaing Township.

“They’ve already left. The situation hasn’t changed much yet. They’re near Dingyi Kya village in Htigyaing Township. There hasn’t been any airstrike so far,” a TR official told reporters.

In anticipation of possible conflict, the Bhamo District People’s Defence Force Battalion 1 issued a public warning on 22 July, urging residents of riverside villages to evacuate immediately. The group also cautioned against traveling along the river, holding festivals, or attending public gatherings due to the risk of air and naval attacks as the fleet approaches.

Residents were advised to return to their homes only once the junta's warships have fully passed and the area is declared safe.

According to a statement from the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Defence, resistance forces have carried out ambushes and blockades against junta vessels along the Ayeyarwady. In one recent attack between Chaungthale village in Thabeikkyin Township and the Kyaukgyi jetty, resistance forces reportedly set fire to one warship, sank another, and disabled two more. Five junta soldiers were killed, and 21 others injured in that operation, the statement said.

Meanwhile, a separate fleet of six junta warships that departed from Gowin Port in Mandalay on 22 July was reported to have reached Kanbalu Township on the morning of 23 July.

The growing movement of military convoys along the Ayeyarwady has heightened tension across several regions, with resistance forces continuing their efforts to prevent reinforcements and supplies from reaching northern strongholds.