Around 30 junta soldiers were reportedly killed and 15 others wounded during an ambush by the civilian resistance Yaw Defense Force (YDF) in Gangaw Township, Magwe Region, on Monday.
On Monday afternoon, 16 YDF fighters ambushed a military convoy on the Gangaw-Kale highway, according to the group’s statement.
It said the convoy was taking reinforcements to Kale Township in Sagaing Region.
The group, which represents the Yaw community in Gangaw, reportedly used two grenade launchers, three landmines and homemade grenades.
A YDF video shows a military truck triggering a landmine.
In the attack, three out of eight military vehicles were damaged, around 30 soldiers were killed and 15 injured.
The group said it suffered no casualties when soldiers fired back indiscriminately.
The Irrawaddy was unable to independently confirm the casualties.
Last week, the junta troops on the Gangaw-Kale highway faced a series of landmine attacks by civilian resistance fighters, killing around 50 junta troops and injuring many others.
Myanmar’s junta is facing growing numbers of armed resistance volunteers and attacks by ethnic armed groups across the country, except in Rakhine State.
In July, more than 740 junta soldiers were killed and almost 730 wounded during 355 shootouts, assassinations and bombing attacks by ethnic armed groups and civilian resistance fighters, according to Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government.
Attack in Yangon
On Monday evening, resistance fighters from the Civil Guerrilla Force attacked junta forces at a garment factory in Hlaing Tharyar Township using a remote-controlled bomb.
In the explosion, two junta troops were seriously injured, according to the group’s statement.
The group said it suffered no casualties.
On Sunday morning, junta sentries on the Bayint Naung Bridge, which connects Hlaing Thayar and Mayangone townships, were attacked by unidentified assailants. Some regime troops were reportedly injured.
Armed resistance by civilians against the junta appeared in late March when regime forces began killing peaceful protesters.
Since the Feb. 1 coup, the junta has killed more than 1,010 people during crackdowns, arrests, interrogations, raids and random shooting, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported on Monday.
Over 7,440 people, including elected leaders, have been detained by the junta or face arrest warrants.
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