Two fighters from the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) were killed during a clash with a military council column advancing in northern Ye Township, according to an MSRF statement released today.
The fighting occurred on December 22 between Kutoetseik village and Hnit Kayin village, where an advancing military council column encountered MSRF forces. The MSRF said its troops launched a guerrilla-style attack on the column between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
According to MSRF spokesperson Mi Tala Nyan, the military column, estimated to consist of about 150 troops, was ambushed during its advance. “We carried out a guerrilla attack on a military council column of around 150 troops. The clash lasted about 75 minutes. As they advanced, they fired indiscriminately with both heavy and light weapons along the route,” she said.
The MSRF claimed that approximately 29 military council personnel, including one captain, were killed and about 10 others were injured in the clash. The MSRF also confirmed the loss of two of its fighters.
A local man said that due to the imbalance in troop strength, the resistance forces suffered significant losses during the fighting.
Following the clash, military council troops reportedly fired small arms into the air along their route. In addition, troops from the 317th Artillery Battalion based in Maw Ka Nin village, allegedly fired heavy artillery indiscriminately toward areas outside nearby villages.
“After the fighting, they fired heavy weapons about three times from Maw Ka Nin. When the column passed back through the village, villagers were so afraid that they shut all their doors. The troops still fired their weapons into the air. I don’t know if it was out of anger, but two of their own soldiers were also injured,” the local man said.
Residents also reported that during December, which is an election month, military council forces have been conducting nightly patrols by car or motorcycle in villages across Ye Township.
Local People’s Defense Force units based in Ye Township have urged civilians to remain vigilant and cautious when traveling and living in areas where military council columns are operating.
