The residents in Ye Township are living in fear due to near-daily mortar shelling by artillery units of the military junta based in the area, according to local sources.
Despite no active clashes in recent days, the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 343, stationed near Ah Yuu Taung village, has reportedly been firing mortar shells at least four times daily into areas outside the village. Locals say the shelling usually occurs during the daytime, with some rounds also fired at night.
“Around 3 p.m. yesterday, they fired two rounds. Thankfully, they didn’t hit the village directly but landed inside a compound. It’s been like this every day lately—they just fire mortars randomly. People are really worried that shells will fall on them, even when they’re inside their own compounds. Some are too scared to even go outside,” the resident said.
Although no casualties have been reported so far, workers in nearby plantations say the frequent shelling is disrupting their ability to travel safely.
On June 13, a clash occurred near Konemyinttharyar and Kalaingpadaw villages, located along the Thanbyuzayat-Ye Union Highway, between military junta forces and the Ramonnya Mon Army (RMA) and its allied columns.
Following the clash, military junta troops have set up checkpoints at the entrances and exits of Ah Yuu Taung village. Locals say soldiers are stopping travelers, conducting strict interrogations, and making arrests.
“The inspections have become very aggressive. They force people heading to their fields to kneel and place their hands on their heads. Just the other day in the afternoon, a father and son and a young man with them were arrested,” a local woman reported.
Residents also said that even when the sound of mortar fire causes people to try to flee for safety, soldiers prevent them from doing so and continue with aggressive searches and detentions.
With the election period approaching, human rights activists believe the military junta is intensifying efforts to demonstrate control over Mon State—tightening both territorial dominance and military operations.
Meanwhile, the Ye Belu resistance group has urged residents to stay alert and exercise caution, as they plan to launch further attacks on junta outposts and checkpoints across Ye Township in the coming days.
