According to local residents and revolutionary forces, 21 civilians were killed when the terrorist military conducted airstrikes using a Y-12 aircraft on three villages in Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region. The attacks occurred around 5 PM on July 17, targeting Shargwe, Ngapatchaung, and Yeleymaw villages located near the border of Wetlet and Sintguu townships. The Y-12 aircraft, which took off from Tataoo Air Base, dropped multiple bombs on these villages. The airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians from Ngapatchaung village, one from Yeleymaw village, and eight from Shargwe village, bringing the total civilian death toll to 21. Additionally, numerous people sustained injuries in the attacks.
Local sources report that many of the injured sustained severe wounds, and the death toll could potentially rise. The military council’s naval fleet, which had anchored east of Sheinmagya village in eastern Wetlet Township until the evening of July 17, was expected to proceed into Sintguu Township the following morning. As a result, the People’s Defense Force of Sintguu Township has warned residents along the Ayeyarwady River to evacuate to safe locations to avoid potential attacks from the naval vessels. The military’s naval fleet consists of 12 vessels, including attack boats, landing craft, barges, and tugboats. The tugboats are identified as Nadi, Shwe War Line, Zwe Man Aung, Aung Pyae Sone, Win Pyae, Myat Taw Win, Hein Htet Soe 1, Hein Htet Soe 2, and one unidentified vessel.
Revolutionary forces have advised local residents to exercise extreme caution as the naval fleet is likely to conduct artillery strikes on riverside villages and coordinate with air attacks as they move upstream. The pattern of violence demonstrates the military’s continued use of disproportionate force against civilian populations, employing both air and naval assets to target residential areas. The situation remains tense as communities along the Ayeyarwady River face the ongoing threat of military attacks, forcing many to consider evacuation to safer locations away from the river’s edge.
