Resistance forces retreat as junta troops advance into northern Madaya Township

Myanmar’s military advanced into the northern part of Mandalay Region’s Madaya Township late last week, as resistance forces fell back to defensive positions farther north, according to sources. At least three columns of around 1,000 troops pushed into the area, forcing anti-regime groups to withdraw to the northern side of the Tan Ngar Thei Creek, about five miles north of the town of Madaya, local sources said. “I heard the [Tan Ngar Thei Creek] bridge was destroyed last week to stop the junta’s tanks and armoured vehicles from crossing,” a Madaya resident familiar with the military situation told Myanmar Now. “Drone strikes from the air were also very heavy.” The columns reportedly launched coordinated ground assaults from the central and eastern parts of Madaya Township, as well as from Bant Bway Kyin, a village in northern Shan State’s Nawnghkio Township, according to resistance sources. “We are trying to avoid large-scale clashes to limit our casualties. Although they have not yet crossed the Tan Ngar Thei Creek, the situation is still worrying for Se Taw Gyi,” a resistance fighter said last Friday, referring to a stronghold of local anti-regime forces. Three junta fighter jets also carried out five airstrikes in northern Madaya Township early Saturday morning, according to the Wetlet Information Network, a local group that reports on the conflict. Around 20,000 civilians from the eastern part of the township have been forced to flee the clashes, relief workers said. “Some who were previously displaced have had to move again, and several new villages are also now affected, pushing the numbers very high. We are organising accommodations for them,” said a person assisting the displaced villagers. The junta army has retaken at least 10 villages in eastern Madaya Township since August, and since October 13 has been advancing into the northern part of the township. Myanmar Now reached out to the Mandalay People’s Defence Force (MDY-PDF), which oversees military operations in Madaya Township, for comment on the latest situation, but has yet to receive a response. Madaya Township is located just north of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and has been largely under the control of resistance forces for more than a year. Farther north is Singu Township, which remains under resistance control, and Thabeikkyin Township, which was recaptured in July.

Resistance forces retreat as junta troops advance into northern Madaya Township

The regime has used overwhelming force to continue its push to reclaim territory north of Mandalay that it lost last year

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