A Buddhist monk was injured after artillery fired from a military junta camp at Winwa struck a monastery in Kamyaing village, Thayetchaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, according to local sources.
No clashes were reported in the area at the time. However, troops stationed at the Winwa military camp along the Myeik–Dawei highway fired two rounds of artillery toward Kamyaing village at around 5 p.m. on July 7.
One of the shells landed inside a hilltop monastery in the village, injuring a monk who was inside the building.
“They fired without any fighting taking place. Yesterday, shells fired from Winwa camp landed at the hilltop monastery in Kamyaing village. One monk was hit in the thigh. His injuries were not serious, but they fired two rounds of artillery,” a local revolutionary force member said.
The monk sustained minor shrapnel injuries to his thigh and was treated at a village clinic.
Residents said troops stationed at the Winwa military camp frequently fire artillery at nearby villages despite no reported clashes in the area.
They also said junta troops regularly conduct ground operations and ambush patrols in villages near the camp, creating fear among local residents.
“They often fire artillery even when the situation is calm. They also send troops into nearby villages and frequently set up ambushes. People are living in fear because they never know when shells will be fired or when soldiers will enter the villages,” a resident said.
On July 4, clashes were reported between military junta forces and revolutionary forces in the area between Sinkyun and Boke Kaing villages near Thayetchaung town.
According to FE 5 Tanintharyi, fighting, artillery attacks, airstrikes and naval attacks in Tanintharyi Region have displaced at least 93,200 people.
