The advance of a junta column has triggered evacuation calls in communities along the border between southern Chin State and Magway Region. According to locals, residents of Kanpetlet Township in Chin State and Saw Township in Magway Region have been strongly urged to evacuate. 

As of May 18, junta troops advancing from Saw Town toward Kanpetlet had reached the Saw-Kanpetlet Road. Locals along the route have been warned of possible attacks by the column, as well as airstrikes and artillery shelling, and have been advised to evacuate ahead of time.

A Y-12 aircraft that took off from Meiktila Airbase in Mandalay Region reportedly airdropped drones, solar power units, and ammunition to the column on the Saw-Kanpetlet Road on May 18.

Resistance forces have urged locals to avoid unnecessary travel and to temporarily move to safer areas.

On May 17, the Kanpetlet Humanitarian Management Department issued a warning urging town residents to exercise extra caution, as junta troops have been advancing from Saw toward Kanpetlet.

All townships in southern Chin State, including Kanpetlet, are under the control of Chin resistance forces. There is also speculation that the junta’s heightened focus on southern Chin State may be an attempt to increase pressure across the Magway, Chin, and Arakan (Rakhine) fronts.