The Myanmar’s military has launched ground and air counterattacks and detained civilians following the attacks by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Region, according to locals.
According to local residents and the joint local defense forces, this was a retaliatory attack by the regime after it faced attacks from the joint resistance forces in the Myaukpyin area of the township.
An elder from the area, who did not want to be named, said, “There was heavy fighting in Myaukpyin. On 19 August, the junta troops spent the night in separate groups in Thayetchaung and Nyaunglinchaung (villages). From there, they marched up to Mount Mankin on 20 August. The combined forces of the Arakan Army (AA), the KIA and the PDF stood ready to attack. Our side simply resisted their fierce advance.”
On 20 August, a fierce battle between the Myanmar army troops and the combined forces of the AA, the KIA and the PDF took place throughout the day, leaving some resistance fighters injured, according to a source close to the joint resistance forces.
“The battle began at 8:20 am and ended after dark. Around noon, the fighting cooled down a bit. One PDF member and one KIA member were injured, but not seriously,” he said.
He continued, “They flew three air strikes. The planes came from Myitkyina. Two AA soldiers were hit by shrapnel. They were only minor injuries.”
One KIA fighter and two AA fighters sustained minor injuries in the 20 August battle in Tigyaing Township. However, there were no civilian casualties, said the person close to the joint resistance force.
“The defense forces seized their weapons and ammunition around noon that day. These include equipment, small arms, two rifles, mortars, RPGs and many other things,” he added.
The military council side not only lost many weapons and ammunition in the battle, but also suffered heavy casualties, but the exact number could not be confirmed at the time of reporting. Tensions between the two sides remained high.
Following clashes on two consecutive days, 20-21 August, in Tigyaing Township, junta soldiers rounded up about 50 civilians, including four residents of Kyaukhmaw Village, from nearby villages, according to joint forces.
The ongoing fighting between the two sides, as well as the junta’s airstrikes and military tensions in the township, have forced residents of Kyaukhmaw, Zigon, Kwingyi and neighboring villages to flee to safety.
Sent by NMG.
