In Mon State, Ye township, Ye residents are worried with news of city-wide battles.
Revolutionary forces based in Ye township announced at the beginning of the year that they will step up their military operations in 2024 and take over the town and military camps.
Military junta camps and gates in Ye township have been under continuous attack.
Local people have been told not to live near any military junta’s army or battalion stations.
“Gun fire takes place day and night. After the suspension bridge battle, the revolutionary army forced people who lived near military junta stations to move. Most moved to relative’s houses, but not all. Some people are still near their bases,” said one Lamaing resident.
The fighting is continuous, and the military junta is also firing mortar shells.
In Ye township, a village with a population of about 5,000, almost the entire village has been evacuated due to mortar shelling by the military junta, according to one local woman.
“Gunshots are heard daily. Only a few people remain in the village, and the market is no longer crowded. Some are relocating to farms within the New Mon State Party-controlled area, while others are moving to farms near Karen villages or to the city. Whenever news breaks, people rush to the monastery. Now, out of four people, only one remains in the village,” said the woman.
The military junta’s 583rd Infantry Regiment, and the 591st Infantry Regiment are stationed in Kyaung Ywar village, which is often attacked by the revolutionary forces.
On January 20th, the military junta suspension bridge gate camp near Mawt Ka Nin village was attacked by revolutionary forces, and the camp was captured and burned.
After that attack, military junta battalions continued to fire mortar shells and residents of a nearby village fled to safety. People engaged in farming are facing difficulties as they can not work.
In Ye Township, where martial law has been declared, there are frequent shootings between the military junta and the People’s Defense Joint Force. Military junta convoys, bases, and checkpoints are under constant attacks.
Residents believe the fighting will intensify.
