At least five civilians were killed by indiscriminate Myanmar junta shelling in Kale Township, Sagaing Region, during two days of clashes with resistance forces.
The Chinland Defense Force (CDF), based in Kale Township in Sagaing Region and Gangaw Township in Magwe Region, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that four men and a woman were killed in Shar Hpo village on Wednesday.
“Four men died in junta shelling and a woman who witnessed the incident died of a heart attack on Wednesday, “a CDF representative said.
The shells were fired from nearby Kyan Thar, a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee village, where regime infantry are stationed, resistance forces said.
Clashes broke out with the CDF, Kalay People’s Defense Force and other resistance allies at Aung Thar Yar village on Tuesday morning when three groups of junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee allies advanced into the village, which is a resistance stronghold.
At least two junta troops were killed and two injured, while two resistance fighters were killed and two injured on Tuesday, the CDF said.
Another skirmish broke out near Man Taw village on Wednesday while junta troops from Aung Thar Yar pushed into nearby villages.
The Irrawaddy was unable to verify the casualty figures and communications are down in Kale Township.
Tension remains high in the township and resistance forces urged residents to avoid the clashes.
The CDF said fighting would continue until the junta infantry retreated.
Thousands of residents have recently fled their homes.
The United Nations reported on Wednesday that at least 813,500 people had been displaced in Sagaing Region.