A two-day battle erupted between revolutionary forces and military council troops in the Taunggoo-Leiktho road area of Bago Region after the military conducted raids and looted civilian properties in villages, according to a responsible official from the Taunggoo District People’s Defense Force Battalion 3502. The military column, which began advancing from Htantabin area on May 27, moved along the Htaunboegyi-Kyaingchinset road towards Leiktho, aiming to reinforce their camps at Htaunboegyi and Kyauklongyi.
The military council forces have been continuously raiding villages along the Taunggoo-Leiktho road, setting up camps in civilian homes and arbitrarily looting valuable possessions. Revolutionary forces engaged the military column near Mongkone and Htaunboegyi villages on June 13 and 14. While the exact casualties on the military side could not be confirmed, the resistance forces were able to withdraw without any casualties. The offensive was jointly carried out by Battalion 3502 Companies 1 and 2, Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 2, Battalion 5, and the Kanni-Kyar Area Defense Force.
In Natmauk Township, Magway Region, resistance forces have been conducting daily operations against military council troops who have been raiding villages. On June 9, military forces entered and raided Lyawtaung village in the Latkarpyin village tract. The soldiers occupied civilian homes, looted properties, slaughtered villagers’ livestock for consumption, and fired weapons indiscriminately, forcing the entire village to flee. The Ngapyaema Guerrilla Force and allied groups attacked the military position at Lyawtaung monastery using 40mm launchers, which resulted in an exchange of small arms and heavy weapons fire.
During the engagement, the military used a 16-year-old student as a human shield. When military reinforcements arrived from Natmauk town, the revolutionary forces withdrew to prevent potential harm to civilian properties. According to a spokesperson from the Ngapyaema Guerrilla Force, while there were likely military casualties, the exact numbers could not be confirmed as the military typically conceals their losses. The military column remains in the area, and resistance forces continue to monitor and engage them, resulting in ongoing clashes.
