Intense fighting erupted between junta troops and resistance forces in Sagaing’s Yinmarbin Township again on Wednesday, killing at least four junta troops, local resistance forces say.
At least 15,000 civilians remain displaced in the southern township amid ongoing fighting since early August. In late July, 14 people in one village were massacred in a predawn raid—three of whom were beheaded.
The latest battle broke out near Kyauk Hmaw Village when a junta column of about 100 troops advanced into the surrounding area on Wednesday, according to the Union Liberation Front (ULF). The column is stationed at Say Thu Village log storage yard in the township.
“At least four junta troops were killed and six were injured during the battle. We also seized three assault rifles and some ammunition,” a representative of ULF told The Irrawaddy on Thursday. The ULF posted pictures on Facebook showing seized weapons and ammunition.
Six resistance fighters were also injured in the two-hour battle, he added.
The Irrawaddy could not independently confirm the casualty figures.
Sources said junta military reinforcements arrived in the area on Thursday.
At least 15 villages have been deserted in Yinmarbin Township since August 6 when junta infantry arrived in Say Thu Village to guard the transportation of logs from the storage yard, according to sources.
“No one dares to stay in their homes. Almost all villages in the surrounding area have been deserted since last month,” a source who fled Sone Chaung Village said.
Township volunteers say more than 15,000 displaced people cannot return to their homes due to ongoing raids by junta troops in the area.
“They need food, shelter and medical assistance, but we don’t have enough funding to help them in the long term,” a local volunteer said.
Junta troops conducted indiscriminate shelling over surrounding villages near the log storage yard, sources said.
At least six clashes broke out in the township and two junta soldiers were captured in August, according to local resistance forces.
The Irrawaddy was unable to verify the reports.
In July, 11 civilians and three resistance members were massacred in Yinmarbin’s Sone Chaung Village. The three resistance members were beheaded.
