
Intense clashes broke out in the southern part of Mandalay Region’s Madaya Township early Thursday morning as Myanmar’s military struggles to hold onto the area north of the country’s second-largest city.
According to local sources, the fighting took place between the villages of Kyauk Ta Dar and Htan Pin Kone, which are located about 20 miles north of the city of Mandalay.
“It has been incredibly noisy since this morning between Kyauk Ta Dar and Htan Pin Kone. There has been constant heavy artillery fire,” said a local woman, speaking to Myanmar Now on Thursday.
The Mandalay People’s Defence Force (MDY-PDF) and allied groups claim they have captured more than two dozen junta positions in Madaya Township since launching an offensive there late last month.
The MDY-PDF has not released any official statements regarding the current military situation in the area, and the. . .