In Mongmit (Momeik) township in northern Shan state, a fierce battle broke out between the Military Council troops and the local People’s Defense Forces (PDF).

Intense armed clashes occurred near Wam Lwe Sar village on the road connecting Mongmint and Mogok at around 8:00 AM on December 15th, locals told Shan Herald.

“The Military Council launched artillery barrages first. After that the PDFs responded by firing, and the battle became intense. The battle continued until 10:00 AM”, a local who did not want to be named said.

In the battle PDFs led by U Aung Phyo bravely resisted the Military Council troops, and the exact situation of the casualties on both sides is not yet known, he added.

Minutes after the two-hour battle, two helicopters from the Mongmit-based Military Council camp flew towards Lwe Mauk (Loimauk), stronghold of Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA).

“After the fighting in Lwe Sar calmed down, two military helicopters from the Mongmit camp flew towards Lwe Mauk close to the base of SSPP/SSA, but no gunshots were heard from that side”, he told Shan Herald.

In November heavy fighting between ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and the Military Council took place around the Lwe Mauk ridge, resulting in heavy casualties among Junta troops.

On December 13, the Military Council’ 276th Infantry Division and 348th Light Infantry Division deployed a large force around the ridge and took up positions.

Similarly in Namhsan township in northern Shan state, the Military Council troops launched aerial bombardments on local Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) forces from December 7th to 13th.

As a result of the heavy aerial attack on Namhsan, almost the entire Kone Thar village including houses and religious buildings, were destroyed and more than 1000 residents of Kone Thar and nearby villages fled their homes.