Junta tightens security in Taungoo following resistance attacks

By Admin 22 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 November 2023, Sittwe

The regime has denied access to the Taungoo-Naypyidaw-Mandalay road and Taungoo-Thantaunggyi-Leikthike road after Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)-led resistance forces attacked the Myanmar military’s Infantry Battalion No. 36 in Taungoo town, Bago Region, according to Taungoo residents.

Combined forces including the KNLA attacked the battalion 36 on November 18, resulting in fierce fighting. The regime has closed the roads since November 20.

A Taungoo resident said: “Passenger vehicles and cargo trucks leaving Taungoo and any vehicle entering Taungoo are subjected to checks. They are stuck.”

“We have troubles as they don’t allow us to cross the Sittaung Bridge. We have to cross [the Sittaung River] by boat. They installed a checkpoint at the bridge, and ordered soldiers there to shoot anyone attempting to cross the bridge,” said a resident of No. 23 Ward in Taungoo.

The regime carried out air and artillery strikes following the resistance attack on Infantry Battalion No. 36. More than 3,000 residents from at least three villages fled to Thantaung town in Kayin State.

“I have fled to Kyauk Taing Village after [the regime] carried out air and artillery strikes at our village. Some people fled to Thantaung town,” said a resident of 5th Mile Village.

Large numbers of junta troops are deployed at the district administration office, Taungoo Prison and near Taungoo Hospital in response to reports that the KNLA is planning to attack Taungoo town, according to sources on the ground.