The resistance forces conducted two attacks on military troops who had occupied and were burning down Kyoe Ko Pin village in Htone Bo Township, Bago Region, resulting in at least 20 military casualties, according to Comrade Thitsa, the military affairs officer for Thayarwaddy District. The first attack was launched around 10 PM on July 22nd when the military forces were systematically burning down the entire village. During this initial engagement, the military suffered significant casualties, after which the resistance forces temporarily withdrew.
As the military column continued burning houses in Kyoe Ko Pin village early morning on July 23rd, resistance forces launched a second attack beginning at 5 AM. The battle lasted over an hour, during which more than 20 military personnel were killed. Comrade Thitsa explained that the military had deployed approximately 100 troops to occupy Kyoe Ko Pin village and were methodically destroying villagers’ homes by fire, which prompted the resistance forces to launch containment attacks. The military operation involved coordinated action between multiple resistance groups including PDF Battalion 1 (Shwe Tan Myay), Battalion 3 (Moe Nyo People’s Defense Force), Thayarwaddy District 3801 Battalion 5, and the Zeekone Township People’s Defense Force.
The military column has not yet withdrawn from Kyoe Ko Pin village, and Comrade Thitsa warned that intense fighting may continue in the area. He advised local civilians to evacuate and take precautionary measures for their safety. The resistance forces remain vigilant and are monitoring the situation as the military continues its occupation and destruction of civilian properties in the village. This incident represents another example of the military council’s ongoing campaign of violence against civilian populations, which includes the deliberate burning of villages and forced displacement of residents.
