The People’s Defense Force of Yephyu Township has confirmed that three military council soldiers were killed during two days of fighting after military council forces entered Yekyi village in Tanintharyi Region’s Yephyu Township. The clashes began on May 29 when military council troops attempted to raid Yekyi village, leading to armed resistance from local defense forces. The confrontation involved multiple resistance groups working in coordination to defend the area from the military council’s offensive operations.
The joint resistance operation included forces from the Yephyu Township People’s Defense Force, Dawei District Battalion No. 1, Thagara Column of the Dawei People’s Liberation Force (TPLF), Dauna Battalion, Unit-6 (Waehin), Unit-7 (LPF), Dragon Red Tiger Force, and Shwe Bi Lon forces. During the engagement, at least three military council soldiers were confirmed killed, with numerous others reported wounded. The remaining military council forces eventually retreated from the area following the sustained resistance from the combined defense forces.
According to a statement from the Yephyu People’s Defense Force, they will continue their operations against the military council forces with improved coordination among allied groups. They have also called on soldiers serving under the military council to defect and join the people’s side as soon as possible. The local defense forces emphasized their commitment to continuing their efforts to protect the security and welfare of civilian residents in the region. The statement highlighted their ongoing dedication to defending the lives and property of local communities against military council aggression.
