Local residents report that villagers from Letpan village in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, have been forced to flee after the military forces fired artillery shells that struck a monastery in their village. The incident occurred following clashes between revolutionary forces and military troops along the Sagaing-Mingun road between 9 PM and 11 PM on March 17. After the fighting, the military forces began indiscriminately shelling surrounding villages, with one artillery shell hitting and exploding at the monastery in Letpan village, causing significant damage to the religious building.
Following the clash, military forces were seen transporting their casualties in vehicles before continuing their artillery bombardment of the area. While the extent of civilian casualties from the artillery strike remains unconfirmed, all villagers have been forced to evacuate to safer locations. According to local sources, the military appears to be deliberately targeting civilian areas in their attacks. The military’s actions have created a humanitarian crisis as residents abandon their homes and seek refuge in other locations.
Simultaneously, in Thaung Tha Township of Mandalay Region, military forces conducted aerial bombing raids on villages using armed helicopters. On March 19, at approximately 2:48 AM, they launched airstrikes on Kyipintet village and Nagabo village, accompanied by small arms fire, according to the Thaung Tha Township Public Movement Committee. The committee is currently investigating the extent of civilian casualties and property damage resulting from these aerial attacks. These incidents represent an escalation in the military’s use of heavy weapons and airstrikes against civilian populations, forcing local communities to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere.
