Ongoing armed clashes between military junta troops and joint resistance forces along the Thanbyuzayat-Ye-Dawei section of the Union Highway 8 in Mon State have put Ye residents on alert in preparation for a possible escalation of the conflict, according to local sources.
Residents of Ye Township have dug bomb shelters near almost all houses, moved to more sturdy houses for protection, stockpiled food and made preparations for evacuation in case of emergency, locals said.
“Now people mostly stay at home, except for important matters. We don’t go out after 5pm. Even if we have to go somewhere, we only go to Ye. We rarely go to Mawlamyine anymore. As there are frequent clashes on the road between Ye and Thanbyuzayat, traveling is very difficult. Now almost every house in the village has dug bomb shelters to hide in,” said a resident of Mawt Ka Nin village in Ye.
In the first week of August, there were at least five clashes in Ye Township, in which three civilians were injured and about four houses were damaged, according to locals.
A man from Ye said a major battle could occur due to the movements of both resistance and junta forces.
“We aren’t sure of the exact date and time, but locals say there will probably be a big battle. Seeing how the junta is opening fronts and increasing troop strength in the areas between Mawt Ka Nin and Thanbyuzayat and Mawt Ka Nin and Ye,” he said.
In Ye Township, Hnit Kayin, Mawt Ka Nin, Hnin Son and Toe Tet Ywar Thit villages, at least two clashes happen every day. In addition, residents are concerned about possible civilian casualties due to increased artillery shelling by the junta’s Battalion 317 based in Mawt Ka Nin.
In addition, on 5 August, the People’s Defense Force (PDF) issued a special announcement prohibiting all vehicles from passing on Union Highway 8 between Ye and Thanbyuzayat from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. As a result, a container truck traveling on the road was fired upon at 7pm on the same day, injuring the driver, locals reported.
In an attempt to regain control of Ye-Dawei Road, the junta has increased its troop strength and deployed them from the entrance of Mawt Ka Nin road to the Ye-Dawei border. This has led to daily exchanges of fire with the joint resistance forces.
Sent by IMNA.