Military council forces have launched attacks to retake the town of Kawlin in the upper Sagaing Region, which is controlled by the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), according to sources on both sides and local residents.
The military junta began the offensive on Kawlin after airlifting reinforcements to Wuntho and Koe Taung Boet village in recent days, according to local residents.
“We heard loud airplanes and the sound of bombing,” said a resident near Wuntho.
Around noon on 5 February, the military council surrounded Kawlin with three columns of about 800 soldiers – one from Wuntho in the north, one from Koe Taung Boet village in the south and another from Zee Hpyu village, according to PDF sources.
The military council’s propaganda media have also been reporting fierce fighting within Kawlin Township since 4 February.
Since January, these media had published reports warning the residents of Kawlin to leave the town as there would be an assault on Kawlin.
PDF sources also report that the military council has attacked with drones in the current military offensive.
The National Unity Government (NUG) officially announced that it would resume administration and banking operations in the district town of Kawlin after the resistance forces seized control of the town on 6 November 2023.
Sent by Say Kaung Kham (Shanni Voice)