Residents of Kaleinpadaw village in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, have returned to their homes after being displaced for two days due to fighting between the military junta and joint resistance forces, according to local sources.
Clashes broke out on December 5 near a hilltop pagoda east of Kaleinpadaw village when military junta troops arrived in the area around 5:00 pm and were ambushed by local resistance forces. The fighting lasted for about 20 minutes.
Due to the clashes, villagers fled their homes for two days. After the military junta forces withdrew and the situation became calm, residents began returning home on December 7, locals said.
“Everyone has returned to the village. Some people have already started tapping rubber trees again since yesterday. So far, things are manageable. There is no more fighting. That day, the clashes were not very intense on either side.” said a woman living near Kaleinpadaw village.
Following the fighting, military junta artillery units reportedly fired mortar shells on December 5 and 6. The shells landed in rubber plantations around Kaleinpadaw village, damaging rubber trees, local residents said.
In recent days, the military junta has increased security checks at checkpoints along the Thanbyuzayat–Ye border area. Junta troops have also been conducting frequent patrols through forest routes and rubber plantations, raising fears of further clashes with resistance forces.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. We cannot live freely or feel relaxed. We have to stay alert because of the military situation,” the woman said.
Due to tightened security checks, residents advised people to avoid unnecessary travel on the Ye–Thanbyuzayat road and warned against two men riding together on one motorcycle.
Meanwhile, military junta columns conducting area clearance operations ahead of the planned election have been active since late November with around 100 troops in Ye Township’s northern villages, including Kaninkamawt, Aungtharyar, Leinmawchan, and Aungthapyay, along Union Highway No. 8.
During these operations, the military junta has reportedly committed widespread violence, human rights violations, and criminal acts against civilians. According to data from the Lagon Eain Bulletin, at least 20 civilians were taken as human shields and around 30 people were arbitrarily arrested in Mon State during November.
