In recent days, the military council has reinforced troops with two military vehicles in Pyar Taung area in Kyaikmaraw Township in Mon State.
Concerns among local residents are growing over the potential escalation of conflict, particularly as military council troops have been stationed between Ta Ra Nar village and Ahhlatkone village.
On 28 June, the military council launched attacks on Kawt Dun and Kawt Pa Naw villages in the Pyartaung area, employing military planes in approximately six separate assaults. The indiscriminate shelling and drone attacks by the military council resulted in the destruction and damage of civilian homes.
Currently there is no fighting in Kawt Dun and Kawt Pa Naw villages.
Regarding the potential escalation of fighting, a local resident said, “Tension remains high in the Pyartaung area. The military council has deployed troops, and the resistance forces are gaining strength. It’s unlikely that fighting will intensify during this rainy season. However, it could become more intense after the rainy season compared to May and April.”
Fighting could intensify in Kawt Dun, Kawt Pa Naw, Kawt Wan, Weangeit, Kunngan, Meikayo and Ka Ton Si villages, said locals.
Currently, the parents of Grade-10 and Grade-11 students have relocated to the town for the education of their children. Likewise, more than half of people from Kawt Dun and Kawt Pa Naw villages have fled to safer locations, said local residents.
Local residents have requested both the military council and joint resistance forces to refrain from attacking attacks on monasteries and schools.
A local resident said: “We cannot prevent the war. From both political and ethnic perspectives, I urge both resistance forces and military council forces, as a local and citizen, to abstain from attacking monasteries, religious sites, and schools. This request is made out of concern for the safety of children.”
During the current rainy season, there have been numerous cases of malaria and dengue fever. Due to the lack of educative programs and healthcare services, locals have requested social organizations to help them.
Sent by IMNA.