The People’s Defense Force (Mandalay) has confirmed that one military vessel was sunk and three others, including a military ship, were destroyed by fire during an attack on a convoy of fourteen military council vessels traveling upstream along the Ayeyarwady River from Mandalay. According to Ko Aung Mon, the Information Officer of the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay), the attack took place on July 17 when the convoy, consisting of five military vessels and nine other ships, was traveling northward from Gawwein Port in Mandalay. The PDF forces conducted interception attacks across Mattaya, Singu, and Thabeikkyin townships.
During the attack, a tugboat carrying weapons, ammunition, and military supplies completely sank, while one military vessel and two tugboats were destroyed by fire. Although the military council forces managed to tow the burning vessels by flanking them on both sides to continue their journey upstream, the losses were significant. Ko Aung Mon further stated that due to the destruction of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment, it would be difficult for the military council to achieve their objectives. The military council’s vessel convoy was continuously supported by Y-12 aircraft providing aerial surveillance and bombing support, while jet fighters and Mi-35 helicopters conducted repeated bombing raids during their upstream journey.
Despite the military council’s air support and attacks, the revolutionary forces of the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay) successfully carried out their attack on the vessel convoy. Currently, the remaining vessels continue to move upstream, while revolutionary forces are preparing for additional interception attacks. The significant damage inflicted on the military council’s vessels and the loss of supplies represents a substantial setback to their operations in the region, demonstrating the effectiveness of the resistance forces’ capabilities in challenging the military council’s movement along the vital Ayeyarwady River transportation route.
