A military column that had forcibly taken civilians as porters from Say Village in Htake Hto Township, Bago Region, was intercepted and attacked by the Revolutionary Forces’ Battalion 3802 Column 5, resulting in 15 military council casualties and the successful rescue of 7 civilians. The clash occurred on July 24 at approximately 3:27 PM. The military council forces, numbering around 70 personnel, were transporting civilians they had captured from Say Village when they were ambushed by resistance forces near Phot Tae Gyi on the Myo Chaung-Sein Kan Lan Yoma crossing route section 48 in Minhla Township.
Although the battle lasted only about 20 minutes, it resulted in significant casualties for the military council forces, with 15 soldiers killed and three others wounded. The resistance forces successfully rescued all seven civilians who had been forcibly taken as porters. After the engagement, the military council troops retreated toward Ban Bwe Kon village, and during subsequent area clearance operations, the revolutionary forces recovered various military equipment and supplies left behind by the retreating soldiers. It was noted that this same military column had previously burned down civilian homes while stationed on the Minhla Dam embankment.
The resistance forces have warned that further clashes may occur in Minhla Township area. They have advised civilians to avoid traveling through the Yoma region and to stay away from areas where military council troops are present, as the military continues to use civilians as human shields and forcibly conscript them as porters. The military council has also been reported to be forcibly commandeering vehicles in the area. The revolutionary forces emphasized that this practice of forcing civilians to serve as porters is one of many brutal tactics employed by the military council against its own people.
The successful rescue operation highlights the ongoing conflict between resistance forces and the military council in the region. The revolutionary forces continue to maintain their stance of protecting civilians from the military council’s oppressive actions, including forced labor and property destruction. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by civilians in conflict areas and the military council’s continued use of civilian forced labor, a practice that violates human rights and international humanitarian law. The resistance forces have reiterated their commitment to protecting civilians while continuing their operations against military council forces in the region.
