Ground and air attacks using MI-35 fighter jets by Myanmar miliary regime in Pauk Township, Magway Region, have forced more than 5,000 local residents to flee to safety, local People’s Defense Forces (PDF) told Than Lwin Times.
Residents were forced to flee their villages as junta troops troops advanced into Thanatpinsin village on the morning of 15 March.
“They have entered Thanatpinsin village and caused troubles since last night. In the morning they fired with planes, but one one was injured. There are firefights here as well. They fired with airplane in the morning but no one was hurt. There are exchanges of fire around here too. They were also attacked with mines at the entrance to Thanatpinsin,” said a local PDF fighter.
They were also attacked with mines at the entrance of Thanatpinsin,” said a local PDF militant.
He went on to say that the military regime attacked from the air because they thought that PDF would destroy them with more force because they had suffered heavy setbacks from mine attacks.
The violent incursion of the 100-strong junta column has displaced more than 5,000 people from Thanatpinsin, Khapyo, Mondaw, Inya, Hsulekone, Inpin, Lelbeit and Sabeit villages.
“The situation here has become very difficult. There is no work for income. People rely only on donations and move from one village to another. As the regime columns are raging in the villages, people have left the villages and are hiding in the forests. So they have difficulty getting food,” a local resident told Than Lwin Times.
As it is summer, the displaced are facing water shortages and need food, medicine and other essentials, according to people helping the displaced.
In addition, regime forces reportedly set fire to three houses in Thanatpinsin village to signal their presence as MI -35 fighter jets flew into the area.
Currently, regime forces have retreated from Thanatpinsin village to Kukkosu, a village predominantly inhabited by members of the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia.
Since the coup, the Myanmar military regime has conducted more than 500 airstrikes, according to the National Unity Government (NUG).
Sent by Than Lwin Times.