Intense fighting has been ongoing for three consecutive days along the Myingyan-Nabu Inn road in Mandalay Region’s Myingyan Township, with the military council conducting airstrikes and burning villages in response to suffering heavy casualties. According to a responsible official from the Myingyan Township People’s Defense Force, the military council has been targeting civilian areas with aerial bombardment and deliberately destroying villages through arson attacks.
The clashes began on February 28 when military forces from Myingyan, along with the Pyu Saw Htee group led by Thida Yu Mon, advanced along the Myingyan-Nabu Inn road and encountered resistance forces. The fighting intensified on March 1, lasting nearly the entire day, during which the military conducted at least five airstrikes in response to suffering significant casualties. During these aerial attacks, a bomb struck a monastery compound in Kyaungpyukan village, damaging one building, though fortunately no civilians were injured in this incident.
On March 2, the military column set fire to Kyaukpyut village, destroying numerous homes. When civilians attempted to extinguish the fires, military forces opened fire on them, resulting in civilian casualties, though the exact number of victims has not yet been confirmed. The military suffered at least twenty casualties during the fighting, and one armored vehicle was destroyed. The bodies of deceased soldiers were transported back to Myingyan city in civilian vehicles. Currently, the military column has established a position in Nyaunt Thar village and continues to operate along the Myingyan-Nabu Inn road.
The People’s Defense Force official further reported that fighting continues in the area, and they are closely monitoring the ground situation. The military’s aggressive response, including the use of airstrikes and the burning of civilian homes, demonstrates an escalation in their tactics following significant losses in ground combat. The situation remains tense as resistance forces continue to engage with military forces in the area, while civilian populations face increasing threats from both aerial bombardment and ground attacks by military forces.
