According to local plantation workers, resistance forces have issued a warning to locals in Ahryutaung village and the surrounding areas in Ye Township, Mon State, to avoid going to plantations.
Locals report that residents of villages like Ywa Thit, Ywa Kalay, and Taung Sun near Ahryutaung were advised to refrain from accessing their plantations starting November 1, though no specific reasons for this restriction were provided.
A resident of the Ahryutaung area said that due to the resistance forces’ warning, some locals have paused their plantation work.
“The resistance group has prohibited entry to plantations in areas like Ywa Thit, Ywa Kalay, and Taung Sun for 10 days. During this period, they’ve instructed us not to enter the fields, so we had to halt our work,” the resident added.
Locals note that the Special Operation Force (SOF) and people militia group are conducting increasingly frequent ground operations around villages such as Ywa Thit, Ywa Kalay, and Taung Sun near Ahryutaung.
Additionally, due to resistance activities, the military command armed a local militia group led by Lin Oo in Ahryutaung and tightened checks in villages.
Furthermore, the Myanmar army’s 343rd and 587th Light Infantry Battalions, stationed in Ahryutaung village, have reportedly been firing artillery almost daily.
“Lin Oo’s militia group has also been conducting rigorous checks at village entrances in full military gear, putting locals in a constant state of fear as they encounter armed forces wherever they go. Even without any actual confrontation, just seeing the soldiers with weapons intimidates everyone,” the resident continued.
Local plantation workers say they face losses from having to halt rubber production during peak season and cannot resume operations due to the military conflict. This situation impacts those relying on rubber as a primary economic resource.
Ahryutaung village is known as a people militia stronghold, where the military has armed local militia members and established checkpoints in the surrounding villages, collecting fees from villagers. These checkpoints are often attacked by resistance forces.
Mon resistance groups have also announced they plan to intensify attacks during the dry season and warned locals to avoid military camps or encampments. They urge communities to prepare for military activity and stay clear of these areas for safety.
