The People’s Defense Force (PDF) regional commander in Kalay District has confirmed that military council forces retreated after suffering casualties during clashes in Kalay Wa Township, Sagaing Region. The conflict erupted on the morning of August 2 when military council troops from Aung Chan Thar village military outpost and Shin Int Ma village Pyu Saw Htee camp attempted to launch a surprise attack on territories controlled by PDF and local defense forces. The military council forces had infiltrated areas under the protection of revolutionary forces in an apparent attempt to expand their control.
According to the PDF district commander, the military council troops were engaged in looting money and valuables from local civilians and conducting arbitrary arrests when resistance forces launched a counterattack. The military forces suffered casualties and were forced to retreat from the area. The revolutionary forces successfully maintained control of their territory without suffering any casualties during the engagement. The district commander emphasized that resistance forces would continue to defend against military council aggression, as the junta forces persist in committing acts of violence against civilian populations. The commander described the engagement as a relatively brief encounter, with the military council forces quickly withdrawing after meeting armed resistance.
Local residents in Kalay Wa Township have been living in fear due to the military council’s ongoing campaign of violence, with many forced to flee to safer areas. Reports indicate that military council forces have been systematically looting food supplies, gold, jewelry, and other valuable possessions from civilians, while also subjecting local populations to physical abuse and torture. In response, People’s Defense Forces have committed to maintaining maximum efforts to protect civilians’ lives and property. The recent clash demonstrates the continuing pattern of military council forces attempting to terrorize civilian populations while resistance forces work to defend local communities from such attacks. The PDF commander stressed that their forces remain firmly in control of their territories and are prepared to continue defending civilian populations from military council aggression.
