Myanmar junta troops attempt to torch cement factory near Mandalay

Junta troops stationed at a cement factory near Mandalay attempted to burn it down as they fled a successful assault by resistance forces on Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Mandalay People’s Defence Force (MDY-PDF). Fighting for control of the Alpha Cement Plant, located about 10 miles north of Mandalay near the village of Aungthapye in Mandalay Region’s Madaya Township, began late last week. “As the enemy withdrew, they set fire to buildings inside the factory compound. However, because the buildings were sturdy and well-constructed, there wasn’t much fire damage,” said Osmond, the MDY-PDF spokesperson. The military has also carried out at least 10 airstrikes a day on the factory since it was captured, he added. The Alpha Cement Plant is owned by the Myint Investment Group and Anhui Conch Cement Company, China’s largest cement producer, under a joint-venture agreement approved by the quasi-civilian administration of former president Thein Sein. In 2017, it was the target of protests by locals over its planned use of coal to power its operations. According to Osmond, the MDY-PDF also seized control of another junta position—the Tanga (South) camp north of the town of Madaya—on Sunday. This comes days after the capture of the Tanga (North) camp in the same area. The MDY-PDF, which operates under the command of Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, says it has captured 28 junta camps in Madaya Township since the start of its current offensive late last month. It also claims to have taken at least 150 regime soldiers prisoner. Meanwhile, intense fighting continues near Kyauk Ta Dar, a village in the southern part of Madaya Township near Mandalay, following an attack on a junta camp on Sunday, according to locals forced to flee the fighting. At least one civilian—a pregnant woman who was hit by shrapnel during an airstrike—has been reported injured since the fighting there began. There were no confirmed casualties from the clashes for control of the cement factory near Aungthapye, which has been mostly deserted since fighting broke out in the area in May. Most residents of the village fled after a local man was killed by artillery fire on May 29. In early June, two men who returned to check their belongings went missing and have not been heard from since, according to residents. One displaced resident who spoke to Myanmar Now on Tuesday confirmed that the area is now under the control of resistance forces. “Yes, they’ve taken control. We haven’t heard any gunfire at all since yesterday, only airstrikes,” he said, adding that the situation remains too unsafe for residents to return to their homes.

Myanmar junta troops attempt to torch cement factory near Mandalay

Soldiers forced to retreat from the factory in Madaya Township tried to set it ablaze as they fled, according to resistance sources

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