The Myanmar military regime retook control of Depayin town in Sagaing Region on Sunday evening after airlifting in around 140 troops, according to People’s Defense Force (PDF) groups that briefly seized the town on Sunday morning.
Combined anti-regime groups seized the town on Sunday morning after launching attacks on junta troops from Light Infantry Battalion 704 and junta-allied Pyu Saw Htee militias deployed at the police station and General Administration Department on Friday, according to Sagaing Township People’s Defense Team.
Around 20 junta soldiers were killed during the fighting, and some weapons and ammunition were seized from them. Two Pyu Saw Htee militia members, 41 junta employees and 80 of their family members reportedly surrendered.
The regime carried out counterattacks on the same day, however, forcing anti-regime forces out of the town in the evening. The regime airlifted around 140 troops to the town and an Mi-35 gunship provided air support, according to anti-regime groups.
A member of Depayin PDF said: “Junta troops have re-entered the town. We torched their bases after capturing the town. So, we don’t know where they are currently deployed.”
Around 20 junta soldiers who fled the town during the fighting on Sunday morning clashed with anti-regime groups on Sunday.
Junta troops have detained some civilians in Taung Pyin Ward after retaking the town, and are trying to retrieve those forces who surrendered, according to volunteers helping displaced people.
Depayin town is around 65 km from the Myanmar military’s Northwestern Command based in Monywa, the capital of Sagaing Region. The road linking Monywa and Ye-U passes through Depayin.
Combined PDF forces surrounded the town for months before launching the offensive last week, according to a Depayin resident.
