Many residents who attempted to flee Mogoke town in central Myanmar’s Mandalay Region on Sunday amid heavy fighting have been forced to return as fighting and tight checks on vehicles by anti-regime forces caused traffic queues.
A seemingly endless queue of hundreds of cars and motorbikes stretched for kilometers from Aung Thit Lwin Ward west of Mogoke town to the “Welcome to Mogoke” signboard outside the town on Sunday morning as drivers headed for Mandalay city, according to residents.
Junta troops and anti-regime forces fought in three locations along Mogoke-Mandalay Road on Sunday, including Chaung Gyi and Madaya. One Mogoke resident close to anti-regime forces said there are at least five junta positions along the road.
Anti-regime forces said they were conducting tight checks on vehicles because junta forces along Mogoke-Mandalay Road have been opening fire indiscriminately on civilian vehicles, and also because they fear that junta soldiers disguised as civilians would try to sneak out of the town.
Vehicles were able to leave Mogoke after the road was opened Sunday evening, only to be stranded again in Zayat Kwin, which is a two-hour drive from Mogoke town, due to the fighting.
Fighting broke out in three locations on Mogoke-Mandalay Road on Monday morning, residents said.
One Mogoke resident told The Irrawaddy on Monday morning: “Vehicles heading to Mandalay are not allowed to pass, as fighting has broken out in New Yone, Kyi Tauk Pauk and Zayat Kwin. I think the road will be closed for three days. Residents who were able to get out of the town yesterday are trapped in Zayat Kwin. Vehicles that are stranded close to the town are being told to return. Some don’t go back.”
Anti-regime forces have seized at least five junta positions including key hilltop outposts in western Mogoke since launching an offensive on June 25.
Following the renewed fighting, some residents of western Mogoke town fled to villages west of the town, while others fled to eastern Mogoke. Residents in eastern Mogoke themselves attempted to flee on Sunday as the fighting is expected to spread to their neighborhood soon.
Anti-regime forces have warned residents to stay in their homes as they are pursuing junta soldiers fleeing their bases in Mogoke.
Some residents chose to remain in their houses for fear that the dwellings might be looted during their absence. Some residents are digging air raid shelters.
