By Mandy / MPA
Allied resistance forces are intensifying their offensive on Indaw, Sagaing Region, while the military junta is heavily relying on airstrikes to maintain control of the town, according to local sources.
This is the fourth attempt of allied resistance forces to seize the town and the military junta is desperately conducting daily airstrikes to defend.
A member of the Indaw Revolution said, “Only if we manage to seize the hill outside of the town where the military is strongly based, we can say we are in the upper hand. We took control of the entire town and other places every time we attempted to seize the town, just the hill was left. Military junta desperately defended itself by relying on airstrikes using fighter jets, Y-8 and Y-12 aircraft.”
Over 200 junta soldiers under the No.77 Infantry Division, along with forces from the Shan-ni Army (SNA) strongly based on Japan Hill (or) Sittat Hill, a strategic high ground that was once a Japanese military hospital during World War II located in the outskirts of the town. Allied resistance forces have been launching offensives on the hill since Monday.
A local woman of Indaw Township said, “ The situation remains tense with both sides firing. Civilians have to stay vigilant as the military junta conducts artillery strikes from Japan Hill and airstrikes. We hope this time we will fully take the town—people have suffered long enough.”
According to a member of the Indaw Revolution, the artillery strike from Japan Hill struck Naryakhaung Village located 2 miles east of Indaw resulting in the death of a woman and amputation of the lag of her spouses.
He continued that starting from Monday, when the operation started, to Friday, the military junta conducted 10 airstrikes using fighter jets, over 10 airstrikes using Y-8 aircraft and 30 bombs dropped with Y-12 aircraft.
A trader travelling through the area said,” The fighting has disrupted transportation and trade. Only one alternative route remains open, and even that is highly restricted. Vehicles can only pass in intervals, and it takes up to four hours to bypass the checkpoints. The road may be closed at any time due to ongoing clashes. We have to remain cautious of artillery and airstrikes—it is not safe.”
The battle of Indaw remains intense, with casualties reported on both sides.
The offensive was conducted by allied resistance forces of People Defnese Force (PDF)’s battalions, forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF) and local resistance forces.
