In intense fighting between revolutionary forces and the military council in Naung Cho, northern Shan State, Lieutenant Colonel Aye Min Aung, a Thiha Thura medal recipient, was severely wounded by a revolutionary forces’ drone strike and has been evacuated to Naypyidaw for emergency medical treatment, according to a spokesperson from the Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA). Lt. Col. Aye Min Aung, a graduate of the 44th intake of the Defense Services Academy, received the Thiha Thura medal in January 2021 for his combat operations near Buddha Village in Ponnakyun Township, Rakhine State.
In the ongoing battles, military council forces are launching offensives from the Kan Gyi area, with combined forces from Strategy 2, Pyin Oo Lwin Training School units, and other military divisions attacking from the Ban Bwe Kon area. The military council is employing heavy artillery and drone strikes in their operations. On June 26, battles erupted in the villages of Naung Pha, Nyan Taw, Lon San, Umma Khar, and Naung Lin, with the military council firing over 70 artillery shells and 32 drone-dropped bombs during the engagements.
The fighting has resulted in civilian property damage, with one civilian home destroyed during battles between Naung Lin and Naung Pha villages after the military council fired 39 artillery shells and 17 drone bombs. In Nyan Taw village, the military launched attacks using 31 artillery shells and 15 drone bombs. On June 25, fighting also occurred in Naung Lin, Naung Aw, Lon San, and Naung Pha villages, where the military council conducted attacks using 28 drone bombs and 68 artillery shells.
Despite the Three Brotherhood Alliance extending their unilateral ceasefire to continue providing humanitarian assistance to earthquake victims, the military council has been taking advantage of this period to launch offensive operations, according to statements from ethnic armed organizations. Local residents have been warned to remain vigilant against military council airstrikes and artillery attacks, and to follow air defense guidelines as advised by revolutionary forces. The situation continues to highlight the ongoing conflict between revolutionary forces standing with civilians and the military council’s aggressive actions against its own people.
