Fighting between Myanmar army troops and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in the vicinity of Ahlelesakhan village in Yebyu Township in Tanintharyi Region has continued since 18 July, locals report.
“They have been firing weapons since the fighting broke out. They fire three or four times a day and then stop. We hear shots from both light and heavy weapons. We have heard gunfire from both sides for four or five days in a row now,” said one local resident.
Residents further reported that about 200 junta soldiers entered Ahlelsakhan village on 17 July and have been present near the village since then.
Residents claimed they were forced to bring food to the junta soldiers through the village administrator.
“They forced us to bring them food through the administrator. The administrator told us that they would pick anyone they want and force them to bring them food if they refuse. He threatened like that,” said one resident.
The KNLA warned the residents of the villages near which the fighting was taking place, and they have since been unable to go to their plantations.
According to locals, there were casualties in the fighting between the two armies near the village of Ahlelsakhan.
The Ye Guerrilla Force reported that 35 junta soldiers were killed and 15 others injured on the junta side in the battle near Ahlelsakhan, while the KNLA suffered one death and one injury. Casualty figures on the Myanmar army side could not be independently verified.
Last month, advancing junta troops clashed with the KNLA near Thayarwaddy village – east of Ahlelesakhan – and Lawt Thaing villages in Yebyu Township.
The Ahlelsakhan area in Yebyu Township is controlled by the New Mon State Party-Dawei District , but junta troops, the Karen armed forces, and the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) are also currently present in the area.
Sent by IMNA.