The military junta’s 315th Artillery Battalion, based in Weakali village, Mon State, has been relentlessly firing mortar shells towards Ahnankwin and nearby villages in Thanbyuzayat Township, causing fear and displacement among local residents, according to local sources.
The shelling, which targets the conflict-ridden areas around Ahnankwin, has become a daily occurrence. On September 16 and 17, the 315th Battalion fired several mortar rounds into Hparpya village, which lies near Ahnankwin.
“Previously, they would only fire towards the battle zones. But now, one of the mortars landed right behind my house, destroying all the betel nut trees. A water pot near where my uncle was sleeping got hit, but luckily no one was hurt. It feels like they are deliberately targeting civilians,” said a local resident.
At least six mortar shells landed in Hparpya village, terrifying the residents and forcing many to flee for safety. The continued shelling has caused widespread fear, with many villagers abandoning their homes.
Since mid-August, the junta’s strategic Ahnankwin and Lutshan military bases along the Thanbyuzayat-Payathonzu road have been under heavy attack from the Karen Joint Revolutionary Forces. The junta has already lost control of the Lutshan base, and now it is fiercely defending the Ahnankwin base, using both airstrikes and artillery to hold their position.
On the other side, the revolutionary forces are intensifying their offensive to capture the Ahnankwin base, leading to escalating tensions between both sides.
As a result of the ongoing clashes, artillery strikes, and air raids by the junta, thousands of local residents have fled their homes and remain displaced, unable to return due to the continued fighting.
