A clash erupted between the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and military council troops in Yenangyaung Township, Magway Region, when the latter attempted to forcibly recruit local youths as porters from Gyoke Kone village. According to a PDF member from Magway Region who spoke to Yangon Modern News, their forces intercepted and attacked a military column that was heading to the village to capture young people for forced labor. The incident occurred around 10:30 AM on September 12, when approximately 50 soldiers and police personnel were moving toward Gyoke Kone village.
The Magway District PDF combat unit engaged the military column in an ambush operation, resulting in casualties on the military council’s side. Following the clash, the military council forces retreated toward Yenangyaung town. However, they later returned with three military reinforcement vehicles, which prompted the revolutionary forces to withdraw from the area. During the engagement, one PDF member sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the exact number of casualties on the military council’s side could not be immediately confirmed. A PDF member stated that they are continuing to investigate the extent of military casualties from the clash, noting that the military forces had approached from the direction of Yenangyaung town.
In a related incident on August 30, military council forces had raided a monastery in Gyoke Kone village during a religious ceremony marking the Buddhist Lent period. During this raid, they arrested four novice monks, of whom three were later released after ransom payments were made. However, one remains in military custody. These aggressive actions by the military council, including forced recruitment as porters, arbitrary arrests, and raids on religious sites, have caused significant fear and distress among local residents, forcing many to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere. The ongoing military operations in the area have created an atmosphere of constant tension and insecurity for civilians, who face the daily threat of being forcibly conscripted or detained by military forces.
