The total number of the civilians and resistance fighters killed throughout the Spring Revolution in Htigyaing Township of Sagaing Region has reached 1,248, according to the statement by Htigyaing-People’s Defense Force (PDF), dated 1 February.
More than 20,000 locals have been displaced. Due to the military council’s arson attacks since 7 November 2023, Htigyaing town was burned to ashes, the statement says.
A displaced local from Htigyaing said: “The number of civilian casualties is low. At the beginning, the people hid in the trenches. Around 40 people were hurt as the junta bombarded the trenches. After that, no one dared to live in the town. Only resistance fighters remain in the town. I think they have to speak out about it as the people have known it. As far as I know the number is higher than that.
The PDFs had to pay a high price as they attacked Htigyaing which is a key town in terms of military for both armed groups, with the use of excessive forces, local residents said.
Under the leadership of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Arakan Army (AA), the PDFs from the upper Sagaing Region conducted an offensive to capture Htigyaing in November 2023. The revolutionary forces suffered heavy casualties due to the military council’s heavy shelling and airstrikes, local residents said.
A PDF battalion based in Htigyaing Township in November 2023 announced that it would temporarily stop its efforts to capture the town as it suffered heavy casualties in the fighting.
ÒOur members are not fighting with humans, but with military dogs. Many soldiers died due to imbalanced strength. Many soldiers died. The fact that there were no casualties is very wrong information. Our troops are not robots. There were more or less casualties. There were more casualties in this battle,” said an official of Htigyaing PDF.
He added that the public should not be given misinformation but should be informed about the truth.
According to the persons close to the revolutionary forces, the military council fiercely resisted in order to prevent the town from falling to the PDFs. Till date, the military council has bombarded the town more than 150 times.
Sent by Say Kaung Kham (Shanni Voice).