Hundreds flee junta airstrikes in Bago Region’s Yedashe Township

Hundreds of people have fled their homes in Yedashe Township, Bago Region, after days of junta airstrikes followed clashes along the Sittaung River, forcing residents from at least seven villages to seek shelter, according to resistance forces and local residents. On Monday, resistance forces attacked a junta base stationed at Ywarthit village, east of the town of Yedashe, resulting in casualties and captures. Since Tuesday, the junta has continuously launched heavy artillery attacks along with airstrikes, according to local residents living in the area. "They're estimating where the PDFs might be and firing toward the villages,” said a villager who is based along the Sittaung riverbank, referenced the People’s Defense Forces. “Yesterday, a bomb fell near the monastery in the village, killing a cow.” There have been no reported human casualties, though some homes and livestock have been damaged, sources say. But due to the junta airstrikes, over 500 residents from villages in the area have been forced to seek shelter in safer areas. "There are no IDP camps here. If this village is unsafe, we run to another village, stay at monasteries, that's how we're living,” a woman from Ywarthit village said. “Those who have relatives go to town and stay there, then come back. And if fighting breaks out, we flee again.” It has been nearly six months since there were clashes and airstrikes near the Sittaung River, and the fighting has resumed two months before the junta’s planned elections. Resistance forces on the eastern bank of the Sittaung River have warned civilians to avoid areas under junta control, vowing to disrupt the regime’s planned elections and intensify fighting. After clashes on October 20, the Thargara River bridge was briefly closed, with travel permitted only after ID checks in the following days, displaced villagers said. Junta troops have tightened control over the crossing, restricting the transport of rice, oil, salt, and other goods. The bridge is a key trade and travel route, and locals say those carrying more than the allowed amount must pay bribes. The Sittaung River basin, located between the Bago Yoma range in central Myanmar and the eastern mountain ranges, is tactically important for transportation and military purposes. Resistance forces are striving to gain a foothold in the area. KNU Brigade 3 and allied resistance forces, including PDF units, are operating and maintain control in the zone. “Because we never know when or where the military will fire, people keep moving around,” the woman said. “Those from one village come to ours, and we go to theirs—it’s like we’re going in circles. At night, we all gather to sleep at the monastery.”

Hundreds flee junta airstrikes in Bago Region’s Yedashe Township

More than 500 people have fled villages along the Sittaung River amid renewed fighting between junta troops and KNU-allied resistance forces

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