In Mandalay Region’s Nyaung-U and Thaung-tha Townships, the Popa Defense Force and allied groups engaged in combat with military council troops who were conducting arson attacks on villages, resulting in over 30 military casualties. On June 26, when military council forces were burning Kyin Zalut village during their operations in the townships, the Popa Defense Force and allied groups launched an offensive. During this engagement, the military council deployed MI-35 helicopter gunships three times to provide air support for their ground troops.
During the battle, resistance forces seized 60mm mortar rounds and RPG warheads from the military council troops, with over 30 military personnel confirmed killed. On July 1, when military council forces were burning Maung Gwet Taw village, the Popa Defense Force and allied groups launched another attack, wounding three military council soldiers who subsequently retreated and joined another military column that was burning Ywa Pale village.
On July 2, when the military forces were burning Taung Taw village, the Popa Defense Force reserve unit and allied groups launched an attack that resulted in 10 military council troop casualties. The revolutionary forces also suffered losses, with 11 resistance fighters killed and 5 wounded, along with the loss of two MA-1 rifles and one smooth-bore weapon. The military council later retrieved their dead and wounded using vehicles. The military council’s continued campaign of village burnings and attacks on civilians has been met with strong resistance from local defense forces, who continue to defend their communities despite suffering casualties in the process.
