By Zwe Ko /MPA
Intensifying clashes between junta troops and resistance forces on the eastern bank of the Sittaung River in Yedashe Township, Bago Region, have displaced more than 3,000 civilians from eight villages, according to local sources.
The junta troops advanced into the eastern bank of the Sittaung River on Wednesday, sparking clashes with resistance forces near Yae Hlwe Village. A displaced woman from Ke Lin Seik reported that residents from Yae Hlwe, Pein Hne Pin, Ke Lin Seik, Bo Te Su, Shar Taw, Kyauk Oe, Ywar Thar Yar, Kyauk Pon, and Shwe Thaung have fled to safer areas.
“We’ve been displaced for five days now and haven’t returned yet,” the woman shared. “Some people fled to nearby villages, others to the town or the mountains. We couldn’t take anything with us, and we just wanted to go home.”
Junta troops have reportedly encamped in Pein Hne Pin and Yae Hlwe villages, where they burned down civilian houses on Saturday.
A man from Pein Hne Pin Village said, “We don’t know how many houses were destroyed in the arson. The soldiers haven’t left the village yet. We saw smoke rising. I’m very worried about my house.”
Both sides suffered casualties during the clashes. Resistance fighter Nwe Oo confirmed the deaths of eight resistance fighters and two civilians.
“Eight resistance fighters and two civilians were captured and killed by the junta during the battle,” sources told MPA.
Clashes persisted on the eastern bank of the Sittaung River in Yedashe Township until Saturday, according to Comrade A-Tar, another resistance fighter. While the confrontations have since subsided, tensions remain high.
“Our fighters were trapped when the junta forces split their columns and advanced,” Comrade A-Tar explained.
“The junta soldiers killed them once they were captured. We couldn’t retrieve their bodies, and we also lost weapons. The clashes may resume soon.”
The resistance fighters killed included three members from the Central Regional Command (Nay Pyi Taw Region Command) Battalion 901 and five from the Taungoo District Battalion 3504-Puwar Ni Column.
Similar clashes occurred frequently in 2024 in Yedashe Township’s eastern Sittaung River region, displacing civilians for months.