Eleven civilians were killed in Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Region, after shelling by a junta flotilla traveling downstream from Bhamo Town in Kachin State along the Ayeyarwady River, combined with airstrikes by junta aircraft providing security for the vessels.
The flotilla, which departed from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, to deliver reinforcements and supplies to junta troops stationed in Bhamo, arrived there at the end of July. It has now left Bhamo, beginning its return downstream journey on September 5.
The flotilla had come under ambush by resistance groups along the Ayeyarwady River during its upstream journey. To secure its return, the junta deployed Y-12 utility aircraft and JEF fighters to launch airstrikes on settlements along the river in an effort to clear its path.
Civilian areas in townships along the river, including Shwegu, Katha, and Tigyaing, were hit by artillery barrages and airstrikes as the flotilla passed through, resulting in significant civilian casualties in Tigyaing Township, a source familiar with the situation told KNG.
“When the ships passed near Tigyaing, Y-12 aircraft bombed the area, causing heavy casualties. At least 10 people were killed. Now the ships have already crossed out of Tigyaing Township,” said the source, a Tigyaing resident.
Tigyaing Revolution (TR), which regularly reports on Tigyaing Township, said that among the villages hit, five people were killed in Maungkone, one in Kyaukhmaw, three in Bokone, and two in Weagyi. However, it did not disclose the names of the deceased, and KNG is still working to verify the information.
The flotilla navigating downstream along the Ayeyarwady River consists of approximately 12 vessels, including two warships and several small armored troop carriers.
“In our area, houses were damaged by artillery shelling, but luckily there were no casualties. Tigyaing, however, was hit much harder, and people lost their lives. The flotilla has two warships, along with private cargo vessels and troop carriers. The warships were positioned at the front and rear to guard the flotilla,” said a resident of Katha Township, Sagaing Region.
As of September 8, the flotilla was passing through Shwebo Township in Sagaing Region, and resistance forces had warned residents along the riverbank to stay vigilant against possible artillery and airstrikes.
The junta sent a flotilla from Mandalay to Bhamo in two groups on July 17 and 22. Altogether, the flotilla—around 20 vessels—traveled upstream, unloading troops, food, medicine, and supplies in junta-controlled towns along the river before arriving in Bhamo.
Junta troops, having regrouped after the successful arrival of the reinforcement flotilla, have been engaged in increasingly fierce fighting with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Bhamo since then.
Analysts tracking the flotilla’s July voyage to Bhamo reported that artillery shelling and airstrikes along the Ayeyarwady River killed 31 civilians in nearby communities.
To cope with the escalating military conflicts across the country triggered by the coup, the junta has increasingly relied not only on land routes and air transport but also on the Ayeyarwady River for logistical operations.
