Myanmar junta forces conducted multiple air strikes in Pale and Yinmabin townships in resistance-held Sagaing Region over the last three days, local residents reported.
The most recent air strike occurred in western Pale Township on Monday after junta troops were ambushed by resistance forces between Kyun Bo Kone and Nwe Shauk villages.
“A junta Mi-35 combat helicopter opened fire on resistance targets as junta troops were encircled by at least five resistance groups,” a representative of a local resistance group explained.
There were no reported casualties among resistance forces during the air strike.
The Burma National Revolution Army (BNRA) claimed that its troops clashed with junta infantry, killing at least six junta troops.
The Irrawaddy was unable to verify the casualty figure.
Sources said around 100 junta troops from Salingyi Township were dispatched to Pale town on Sunday to provide food for a Pyu Saw Htee pro-junta militia group.
On Tuesday, In Gyin Su Village was looted by pro-junta militia members from In Ma Htee Village backed by junta troops.
At least 5,000 residents of seven villages have been displaced by the frequent junta raids.
“They usually raid villages every two months to feed Pyu Saw Htee militia. So, we relocated our food in advance to prevent it from being looted by junta troops,” a villager said.
At least three families defected from Inn Ma Htee, a pro-junta village controlled by paramilitary troops, last month.
“The defectors said they had to survive by eating boiled pigeon peas for nearly seven months. All the items and food stolen during the raids were sold to the villagers,” a representative of the People’s Administration in Pale said.
On Sept. 9, a junta helicopter fired on a resistance base that was no longer in use by resistance forces near Thit Gyi Taing Village in the township.
Ka Paing Village in Yinmabin Township was also hit by a junta air strike on Sept. 10.
The number of casualties is unknown due to communication difficulties.
At least 10 civilians were killed and five wounded in Pale’s Nyaung Kone Village by aerial bombing in June.
