Heavy fighting has broken out between military junta forces and allied resistance groups near Paya Village in Kan Pauk Sub-Township, Yebyu Township of Tanintharyi Region, according to sources close to the resistance movement.
The clash reportedly began on the morning of June 15 when joint resistance fighters launched an ambush on a junta column advancing toward Paya Village.
The following day, around noon on June 16, the junta’s Mawrawaddy Navy retaliated by firing more than 10 rounds of heavy artillery into areas surrounding Paya and Zardi villages, local sources confirmed.
“We heard that six junta soldiers were killed during the fighting. The sound of heavy artillery continues even now in Kan Pauk. The navy shelled areas near Paya and Zardi villages where the clashes took place, and military columns are now moving toward nearby villages,” said a Kan Pauk resident with ties to the resistance.
The Kan Pauk chapter of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) told the Independent Mon News Agency that it would issue an official statement soon regarding the ongoing hostilities in the area.
With tensions intensifying, resistance groups have warned local residents and recent returnees to exercise extreme caution, as further clashes could erupt at any time.
At the same time, junta troops have been regularly deploying to areas near the Thayetchaung Deep-Sea Port in Yebyu Township, attempting to strengthen their control. Resistance forces say they remain committed to confronting and disrupting the junta’s advancing military columns.
