Heavy clashes between the military junta forces and resistance coalition troops have been ongoing near Kyone Laung village in Ye Township, Mon State, since January 9, local sources report.
According to sources, the clashes erupted when over 200 soldiers from the No. 61st Infantry Battalion of the junta forces stationed in Ye Township entered the Kyone Laung area.
“The fighting is still happening, and it’s been going on for two straight days. More than 200 soldiers from their side (the junta) are advancing toward Kyone Laung. They’ve come from the No. 61st Infantry Battalion in Ye Township. Currently, there’s a mix of artillery shelling and direct combat,” a local source stated.
Reports indicate that the junta forces are shelling the area with heavy artillery, causing damage to residential homes.
Due to the clashes and artillery attacks by the junta forces, villagers from Kyone Laung and nearby areas are fleeing toward Wa Zin village, a territory controlled by the New Mon State Party (NMSP).
The resistance coalition forces intercepted the advancing junta troops and engaged them in battle, reportedly inflicting heavy casualties on the junta forces, according to local accounts.
“Continuous artillery fire can still be heard at this moment. They’ve been firing all day. The junta troops advanced toward Kyone Laung from the Bokalay Pagoda area, and the resistance forces intercepted them midway. As a result, there were significant casualties on the junta’s side,” said a local resident.
The junta forces began shelling the area with heavy artillery on January 8 after learning that resistance coalition troops had arrived near Kyone Laung village.
According to residents of the Ye area, the junta has blocked entry and exit along the Ye-Chaung Pyar road and tightened traveler inspections.
