In the Bago Yoma region of Minhla Township, Bago Division, resistance forces conducted a two-day offensive against an advancing military council column, resulting in heavy casualties on the military side and leading many soldiers to surrender by raising white flags, according to local military sources. Beginning April 23, the military council forces had been advancing into villages with heavy artillery fire, but resistance forces successfully intercepted and attacked them on April 26 and 27. During these engagements, the military council suffered significant casualties, with their entire column being disrupted and forced to retreat. As resistance forces pursued them, most of the soldiers surrendered by raising white flags.
As the military column’s formation collapsed and soldiers were surrendering, the military council responded by deploying Mi-35 attack helicopters to conduct airstrikes along the entire Bago Yoma region, with fighter jets also maintaining a constant presence in the area. The military council column had earlier raided local villages, looting properties and reportedly killing seven civilians according to initial reports. The military’s acts of violence led to two days of fighting with resistance forces, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries among military personnel, ultimately leading to their surrender. The surrendering troops were reportedly mostly new recruits who had been forced into military service.
Currently, thousands of civilians from more than twenty villages in the areas of Kyaung Village, Hwekun, Kwetma, Sanbok, Htaukkan, Paektan, Gangawpin, Utaik Nyinpin, Inginkun, and Santaungkwe groups have been forced to flee to safer locations. The number of displaced people continues to grow daily as fighting persists and military airstrikes create fear among local residents. The military council’s artillery attacks and airstrikes have also caused significant damage to civilian homes and agricultural lands. Local sources report that the situation remains tense with ongoing military operations, forcing more residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas, while the military continues its aerial bombardment campaign against both surrendering soldiers and civilian areas.
