Military council forces have launched artillery attacks on Naung Pein village in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme Township, which is currently under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), according to local military sources. Beginning on the morning of August 19, the military council forces continuously shelled Naung Pein village with various types of heavy weapons while advancing with approximately 800 troops from the direction of the Upper Ye Village hydroelectric project site.
The military column has currently reached Thanpin village, which is just over a mile away from Naung Pein village. Local residents have been forced to flee to safety as the military forces are conducting arrests and interrogations of civilians in the area. Additionally, the military council forces attacked Kyaukme town with a suicide drone at approximately 10:18 AM. The extent of civilian casualties from this attack has not yet been confirmed.
Yesterday, the military council forces also continuously shelled Ward 5 of Naung Pein village with heavy weapons, resulting in the death of one civilian. The ongoing attacks by military council forces have caused fear and panic among local residents, forcing them to abandon their homes and property to seek safety elsewhere. Local residents report that the military council forces are deliberately targeting civilians in their operations, treating them as military targets in their offensive campaign.
