Locals in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, remained displaced as of 12 June after the Mawrawady naval base shelled villages with artillery on 7 June, according to local sources.
The junta carried out the artillery shelling after a clash between a military column consisting of a large number of troops and the resistance forces near Rar Hpu Ywar Thit village on 7 June. The artillery shelling forced more than 200 residents of Rar Hpu Ywar Thit, Rar Hpu and Thar Yar Mum villages in Yebyu Township to flee their homes, said a youth from the township.
“Most of the residents have fled to Han Gan village. Some have fled to villages where they have acquaintances. They have fled since the day the fighting broke out. Some have stayed in the village, about one person in each house. The junta troops have completely occupied the villages. They have also seized and occupied some houses in Rar Hpu,” said the youth.
In addition, on 7 June, a married couple about 40 years old, a months-old baby and a child around 10 years old from Rar Hpu village were killed when the artillery shells fired by the junta navy hit the village.
At present, a large number of junta troops have entered Rar Hpu Ywar Thit, Rar Hpu and Thar Yar Mum villages and occupied some houses.
Residents are fleeing in fear of intensifying fighting after the joint Mon-Tanintharyi resistance forces announced that they will launch a counter-offensive against the advancing military columns.
“We have seen that they have recently made statements. This indicates a possible intensification of fighting between the two sides. People are worried that the fighting will actually take place. Some are worried about their property. The situation is unstable. That’s why we don’t dare to return home even though we would like to,” said a local from Yebyu.
On 9 June, the joint resistance forces issued a warning to civilians not to use the Ye-Dawei Road, which connects Ye Township to Tanintharyi Region, unless it is for essential travel, as clashes may occur at any time.
Residents were also forced to flee when the junta responded with airstrikes on the areas around Ah Lel Sa Khan, Lawt Thaing and Rar Hpu villages near Ma Hlwe Taung after resistance forces launched attacks on the Ma Hlwe Taung checkpoint on 29 March.
Sent by IMNA.