Fierce fighting in Minbya as Tatmadaw launches air attacks

23 Aug 2019

Khaing Roe La | DMG
23 August, Minbya
 
The Tatmadaw and the AA have been intensely fighting since early Friday at Taung Phyu mountain range in Minbya Township, two helicopters provided air strikes for the Tatmadaw, local sources said.

Since two helicopters are attacking around the mountain range, nearby villages are receiving mortar shells, said a local resident from Kyaung Taung village, who asked not to be named.

“They are firing in the vicinity of the mountain range to east of the village. Villagers are scared. Roofs of houses were destroyed but there are no reports of injuries,” the villager said.

A villager from Pan Myaung village, Minbya Township, said that a military troop temporary positioned in Pan Myaung village provided aid to military troops in the conflict zone by launching artillery shells at Mt. Taung Phyu where the Tatmadaw and the AA are fighting.

“We saw an aerial attack directed towards Mt. Taung Phyu east of Kyaugn Taung village. The fighting in the mountain range has stopped momentarily, but a military troop from Pan Myaung village launched an offensive attack at the mountain range,” the villager said.

The head of the Western Command Colonel Win Zaw Oo confirmed the clashes in Minbya Township. An aerial attack and artillery launch would be provided for offensive support if it was necessary, Colonel Win Zaw Oo told the DMG.

“It is correct there is fighting occurring, but I don’t know all the details at the moment,” Colonel Win Zaw Oo said.

The DMG has been trying to contact the AA for comment regarding the fighting. The causalities during the fighting have not been known yet.

The Tatmadaw and the AA have fought near Shwe Kyin, Daing Tha and Gwa Sone villages in Minbya Township on 22 August and the Tatmadaw used three helicopters during the fighting, local residents said.

About 50 soldiers from the Tatmadaw were believed to be killed and some soldiers were injured while three soldiers from the AA were killed others were injured, the AA announced.