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 resistance forces and military troops along the Sagaing-Mingun road between 9 PM and 11 PM on March 17. After the fighting, the military indiscriminately shelled surrounding villages, with one artillery shell hitting and exploding at the monastery in Letpan village, causing significant damage to the religious building.
According to local sources, the military transported their casualties away in vehicles following the clash. The extent of civilian casualties from the military’s artillery attacks remains unconfirmed. Currently, all residents of Letpan village have been forced to evacuate to safer locations, abandoning their homes due to the ongoing security situation. Local residents describe a complete evacuation of the village as people seek refuge from the military’s attacks.
Additionally, the People’s Movement Committee of Thaung Tha Township has confirmed that villages in Thaung Tha Township, Mandalay Region, were also targeted by military airstrikes using armed helicopters. On March 19, at approximately 2:48 AM, military forces conducted aerial bombardments targeting Kyipintet village and Nagabo village, accompanied by small arms fire. The committee is currently investigating the extent of civilian casualties and property damage resulting from these attacks. The ongoing military operations have created a humanitarian crisis as civilians continue to face displacement and destruction of their properties across these regions.
