Regime forces conduct clearance operations along Chindwin River

Resistance fighters based near the border between Magwe and Sagaing regions say that the Myanmar military is carrying out clearance operations in villages along the Chindwin River.

Last Thursday, junta troops raided a People’s Defence Force (PDF) camp in Ma Au, a village in Magwe Region’s Yesagyo Township, as part of the operation, according to a statement released by the Yesagyo PDF on social media.

The group said it retreated as the camp was overrun by more than 100 regime forces because the time had not yet come for a direct conflict between the two sides.

On Saturday, the military announced that it had seized weapons and ammunition from a monastery compound in Shwe Hlan, a village on the eastern bank of Chindwin River.

Since taking control of the village, the regime has extended its operations to villages in neighbouring Myaung Township in Sagaing Region, according to a source close to the Yesagyo PDF.

Although there have been no recent clashes in the area, regime forces have been patrolling the confluence of the Chindwin and Ayeyarwady rivers by boat and occupying local villages, the source told Myanmar Now.

“I hear the military has been carrying out clearance operations targeting PDF forces in the Magwe-Sagaing region,” he said.

He added that the Myaung Township villages of Bone Khaung, Myit Son, Na Gar Pauk and Nay Pu Kone are all now under the control of regime forces.

There were reports that soldiers had shot a male resident of Nay Pu Kone from a boat, but Myanmar Now has been unable to independently verify this information.

Hundreds of local people are believed to have fled since the recent operations began, but the detailed figures were not immediately available.

“We are observing the situation and their actions closely, and we will do what we have to do. We will definitely respond if our people continue to suffer from their violence,” said Sein Kyaw, a leader of the Myaung PDF.