Local defense forces attacked a military junta checkpoint near the entrance sign of Shwebo town, Sagaing Region, on the morning of 31 May, residents report.
The fighting began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 2:30 p.am.. Locals said the junta troops inside the town repeatedly fired artillery during the clash.
“They were exchanging fire near the Shwebo entrance sign; there’s a checkpoint there, and that’s where they were shooting. All cars were told to turn back and stay inside the town,” said a traveler who was near the fighting.
Although the extent of casualties and damage on both sides remains unknown, the traveler said that all vehicles traveling on the Myitkyina-Mandalay route were halted.
This marks the first time in months that local defense forces have engaged in fighting near the town entrance, having previously avoided attacks inside Shwebo.
Earlier in May, junta columns also entered villages near the strategically important Shwebo-Mandalay road.
Local defense forces, including BLACK WOLF-ARMY, Zarmarni Drone Team (Phoenix Wings), Dragon Urban Guerrilla, People’s Servant Group, and Hla Taw Station Area, reportedly conducted aerial operations against the junta columns.
Faced with these attacks, the junta columns were unable to advance and retreated back into Shwebo town on 28 May, according to statements from the local defense forces.
Sent by Shanni Voice