The military junta has increasingly employed airstrikes during clashes with resistance groups in Tanintharyi Region where the Coastal Region Command is headquartered, according to locals and resistance groups.
The junta has escalated airstrikes especially when their bases are attacked or when they face large-scale offensives, revolutionary groups report.
Specific instances include the attack on the Htee Hta tactical base near the Thailand-Myanmar border in the Ashae Taw area of Dawei Township and the assault on the Win Wa police station on the Dawei-Myeik section of the Union Highway in Tha Yet Chaung Township.
In these cases, the junta called in air support and fiercely resisted, sources say.
In addition, the junta has conducted airstrikes not only on areas where they assume resistance groups are present but also on civilian villages, using fighter jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft for bombings and machine-gun fire.
During these offensives on junta camps, the arrival of junta air support has led to situations where junta troops, initially prepared to surrender, instead resume resistance, according to the spokesperson of the Dawei District Coalition Forces.
“The main issue is that in these offensives on the junta camps, when air support arrives, junta troops who were about to surrender stop doing so and fight back. This prolongs the battles. Sometimes, we have to retreat. In such cases, their morale gets a significant boost,” said the spokesperson.
In April, Tanintharyi Region saw at least 45 airstrikes, more than double the number recorded in March.
While resistance fighters have been injured due to these airstrikes, civilian casualties have been significantly higher, the spokesperson noted.
In March, during battles in Tanintharyi Region, the junta primarily deployed aircraft from Myeik Air Base for air support, conducting over 20 airstrikes in total, sources confirm.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.