A military column was attacked with mines in Kyopingauk Township, Bago Region, resulting in three soldiers killed and seven injured, according to a responsible person from the Thayarwaddy District PDF. The incident occurred on March 8th in the morning, during which the military forcibly detained local civilians to use as human shields and to carry their dead and wounded soldiers. The attack took place around 5 AM when a military column of approximately 50 personnel was advancing through farmlands near Yonechaung village in Kyopingauk Township. The column was ambushed on the Uyin Gyi-Yonechaung communication road by members of the Thayarwaddy District Battalion 3802, Company 6 Black Dragon GBK-PDF.
The attack resulted in three soldiers being killed instantly and seven others sustaining severe injuries. Following the attack, the military forces retreated toward Yonechaung village, taking with them the bodies of the deceased and the wounded soldiers. During their retreat, they forcibly detained civilians they encountered along the way, using them as human shields and forcing them to carry the dead and injured soldiers. The military column had originally advanced through the farmlands near Yonechaung village via the Alaykon camp when they were ambushed on the communication road between Yonechaung and Uyin Gyi. The wounded soldiers were heard screaming in pain before the entire column retreated toward Yonechaung village with their casualties.
While the exact number of villagers detained by the military remains unknown and is still under investigation, the PDF has warned civilians to avoid areas where military forces are present due to their practice of using civilians as human shields. The Thayarwaddy District Battalion 3802, Company 6 Black Dragon GBK-PDF has also announced their intention to continue launching strong offensive operations against the military forces. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and the military’s continued use of civilian populations as human shields during their operations, a practice that has been widely condemned by human rights organizations and the international community.
