A representative from the One Star Task Force (OSTF) has confirmed that resistance forces successfully intercepted and attacked a military council naval fleet carrying paraglider engines along the Chindwin River in Sagaing Region, resulting in military casualties. The attack took place around 1 PM on August 3rd, when revolutionary forces targeted the military vessels as they were traveling upstream from Mandalay’s Gawwein port toward Monywa city.
The resistance forces employed a combination of close-range explosives and both heavy and light weapons in their assault. The military vessels were reportedly transporting paraglider engines covered with tarpaulins. The attack successfully targeted the steering compartment of one of the push boats, likely resulting in military casualties, though the exact numbers are still being investigated. The resistance forces reported no casualties on their side during the operation. A spokesperson detailed that while they were able to detonate explosives near the push boat’s bridge area, they are still gathering information about the extent of damage and casualties inflicted.
The operation was jointly carried out by Battalion 16, Unit 2 of Yinmabin District, and allied forces. The spokesperson noted that while there has been a significant increase in People’s Defense Force presence in the upper region, they face challenges with limited weapons and ammunition. Nevertheless, they continue to coordinate and intensify their efforts to intercept and attack military columns as part of their mission to eliminate the military dictatorship system. The resistance groups are maintaining their offensive operations through strategic coordination despite equipment limitations.
During the military council fleet’s upstream journey, the military conducted airstrikes targeting villages along the Chindwin River, forcing more than twenty thousand residents from over twenty villages to flee their homes. Local sources report that these military airstrikes have resulted in significant damage to civilian homes and agricultural lands, creating a humanitarian crisis as thousands of villagers seek safety in surrounding areas. The ongoing military operations have severely disrupted civilian life in the region, with local communities bearing the brunt of the military council’s aggressive tactics.
