According to the local sources, fighting in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, has led to civilian casualties and property damage. During a clash between military junta forces and resistance groups, a mortar shell fired by the military junta injured a local man and destroyed a house in Kyaikto.
The clashes, which began on October 30, involved over 200 junta soldiers moving into Kyaukpong, Meyonegyi, and Ingapo villages in Kyaikto Township, where they encountered resistance forces. During the fighting, U Thein Tun, a resident of Pyinkatoekone village, sustained injuries when a mortar shell fired by junta forces struck. Additionally, a house in Peinhnekone village was destroyed in the blast, according to a local woman.
“A mortar shell hit Peinhnekone village. Later, on November 4, when the junta troops arrived at Pyinkatoekone village, a new clash erupted with resistance forces, resulting in injuries to U Thein Tun. His house was also slightly damaged,” she said.
The violence forced over 500 villagers from Kyaukpong, Meyonelay, Meyonegyi, Moebaw(Natsin), Peinhnekone, and Pyinkatoekone to flee their homes. However, on November 7, the junta forces retreated, allowing many residents to return.
Following the clash, the junta troops withdrew towards Mayanchaung village, and local residents are gradually resuming normal life.
“The troops are gone, and the displaced villagers have returned to their homes,” a local woman added.
Casualty reports indicate that five junta soldiers were killed and eleven wounded, while the resistance forces suffered one fatality and three injuries. While no further clashes have been reported, Theinzayat-based artillery units of the military junta are reportedly firing almost daily.
On the night of November 5, junta shelling in Theinzayat killed an elderly woman and injured a young woman. Human rights violations by the military junta in October alone left ten civilians dead and 25 injured, according to the Human Rights Foundation of Monland.
