By Ko Paing / MPA
Resistance forces in the Sagaing region’s Pale town withdrew after heavy airstrikes and ground reinforcements by the junta. The withdrawal came shortly after the resistance successfully seized several strategic locations, including the Township Administration Office.
A PDF fighter based in Yinmarbin District reported the operation to seize Pale began on Monday, but increased airstrikes and reinforcements from the military forced the resistance to pull back.
“We managed to capture the township office and launch an attack on one of the military camps when we returned, but with continuous airstrikes yesterday, we had to withdraw,” he told MPA.
The military reinforcements reportedly burned down Ah Lel Bon Village in Pale Township on Thursday.
A local resistance fighter said, “We survived because we jumped into the ditch. The lamp posts were damaged. They airlifted over 100 reinforcements from the Northwestern Regional Military Command. This reinforcement column previously attacked Budalin and killed civilians. Once they arrived at Ah Lel Bon Village, they set fire to the village.”
According to the Pale Township People’s Defense Team, the military reportedly countered with at least 21 airstrikes using jet fighters and six additional strikes from Mi-35 helicopters, as well as incendiary bombs during the operation.
Approximately 10,000 displaced residents from Pale and 12 surrounding villages who have fled the fighting are in urgent need of food and medical supplies.
The Pale operation involved local resistance units, including Burma National Revolutionary Army, Southern YSO PDF, and allied forces. Casualties were reported among the resistance fighters.
The BNRA, Southern YSO PDF, and local resistance forces jointly participated in the operation to seize Pale with reported casualties among the resistance fighters.