A container ship carrying new military recruits from Dawei city in Tanintharyi Region was intercepted and attacked, resulting in casualties among military personnel, according to Comrade Shay Door, the information officer of the Longlone Township People’s Defense Force. The attack occurred on March 4 in the evening when resistance forces targeted the vessel carrying newly graduated military recruits and accompanying military council soldiers traveling downstream along the Dawei River. While there were confirmed casualties on the military side, the exact numbers could not be verified. The resistance forces successfully withdrew from the operation without any casualties.
According to a statement from the Longlone Township People’s Defense Force, they will continue to target military council soldiers using the Dawei River waterway at any time and location. The statement also included a special warning to fishermen and fishing vessels operating along the river to avoid any association with the military council or transporting their personnel. The resistance forces emphasized that any vessels found carrying military troops, whether for troop movement or reinforcement purposes, would be targeted and attacked.
Comrade Shay Door reported that the attacked container vessel was carrying between thirty to forty soldiers, along with security dogs. During the engagement, there was an exchange of fire between both sides, resulting in damages and casualties for the military council, though specific details were not yet available. It was noted that the military council has primarily shifted to using water routes as land transportation has become too dangerous for them. The joint operation was carried out by the Longlone Township People’s Defense Force in collaboration with the Dawei People’s Defense Team (DDT) and other allied forces. The resistance forces have maintained their commitment to disrupting military movements along the waterway while warning civilian vessels to avoid any involvement with military council operations to prevent becoming unintended targets during future operations.
