Local residents report that villagers from Letpan village in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, have been forced to flee after the military council’s artillery shells struck a monastery in their village. The incident occurred following clashes between resistance forces and the military council troops along the Sagaing-Mingun road between 9 PM and 11 PM on March 17. After the fighting, the military council indiscriminately fired heavy weapons at surrounding villages. The artillery shell that hit the monastery in Letpan village caused significant damage to the building. The extent of civilian casualties from the artillery strike has not yet been confirmed.
According to local sources, the military council transported their casualties from the battle in vehicles covered with tarpaulins. A local resident reported that the monastery suffered extensive damage from the military’s random artillery fire, forcing all villagers to evacuate to safer locations. Additionally, the People’s Movement Committee of Thaung Tha Township confirmed that villages in Mandalay Region’s Thaung Tha Township were also targeted by the military council’s aerial attacks using armed helicopters.
On March 19, at approximately 2:48 AM, the military council conducted aerial bombardments on Kyipintel village and Nagabo village, combining the attacks with small arms fire. The People’s Movement Committee of Thaung Tha Township stated that they are still investigating the extent of civilian casualties and property damage resulting from these aerial attacks. Reports also indicate that the military council has been burning civilian homes in the central regions. These attacks represent an ongoing pattern of violence against civilian populations, forcing communities to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas.
