Military junta troops have blocked the Duya–Ahbaw road in the Hparlein area of Ye Township, Mon State, and are conducting security checks and searches, according to local residents.
At around 9 a.m. on February 16, junta troops arrived in two military vehicles and took positions along the road, preventing civilians from traveling through the area.
Residents said gunfire was heard near the blocked road section at around 1 p.m. the same day. Independent Mon News Agency is continuing to verify details of the shooting.
A local resident said the road blockade may be linked to an attack carried out on February 15 by joint revolutionary forces on a junta security checkpoint near a telecommunications tower at the entrance of Ahbaw village.
“After their checkpoint was attacked on February 15, they were not satisfied. They briefly closed the road yesterday. Today, they are deployed in the fields between Duya and Ahbaw and appear to be searching for the group involved,” the resident said.
Witnesses also reported that additional military vehicles were sent from Ye town to reinforce troops during the blockade.
Although the junta later allowed vehicles to pass on the afternoon of February 16, residents said they remain afraid to travel along the road.
“When we tried to go, we were told to turn back because the road was blocked by the military,” a local woman said.
Residents added that military columns have recently re-entered Duya and nearby Ahsin villages in the Hparlein area, prompting villagers to remain cautious. Sources close to the junta said security has been tightened at night, with reinforcements deployed from battalions based in Ye town following reports of revolutionary force activity in the area.
