Fighting intensifies in Magway Region’s Htilin Town as NUG forces tighten blockade

Resistance forces launched an offensive against junta troops in Htilin Town, near the border of Magway Region and Chin State, on Monday, according to resistance sources.Local sources told Myanmar Now that the NUG’s Township People’s Administration Organization (PAO) has warned junta troops to surrender and urged civilians to evacuate.Fighting has intensified since last week when the junta started allowing residents to leave the town. A spokesperson for the Yaw Revolution Army-Htilin (YRA-Htilin), told Myanmar Now that the group has already targeted junta positions in the township, including an administration office, a police station, an agriculture office, and a bank.He added that resistance groups dispatched drones armed with 60mm bombs and fired some 50 rockets into the town during the attack. "Some buildings in the town were damaged, but we're still investigating whether there were any casualties," the spokesperson said. Map of Htilin In November, heavy fighting pushed the remaining junta forces into the town where they remain surrounded today. Resistance forces have blockaded Htilin since mid-2022, cutting off food and medical supplies. The town remains defended by roughly 80 junta troops from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 107 and Artillery Battalion 368, along with around 100 police officers and 50 pro-junta militia members. "There are hardly any civilians left inside, except for militia family members and non-CDM staff who are still afraid to leave," the spokesperson said.In recent months, some regime police officers have defected to the resistance, fleeing the junta controlled town amid clashes. "We invite those who aren't armed to come out, we welcome them,” the spokesperson said. “If they are armed, they must bring their weapons with them."

Fighting intensifies in Magway Region’s Htilin Town as NUG forces tighten blockade

Resistance groups have urged the surrounded junta troops to surrender as soon as possible

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