More than 400 junta troops, with air support, are reportedly trying to retake Madaya Township, which is an hour’s drive north of Mandalay.
Mandalay People’s Defense Force (PDF) and allies seized 35 junta positions, including 1014 Air Defence Battalion in Ingyin Myaing village and a base near Sedawgyi dam east of Madaya, since July.
Madaya borders Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin townships and Nawnghkio Township in Shan State to the east and Sagaing Region to the west. Mandalay city contains the military’s Central Command.
Ko Osmond, the PDF’s spokesman, said: “The regime has carried out an offensive using air raids, artillery and ground troops simultaneously. We still control the positions we seized.”
Sedawgyi dam is crucial for irrigating farms in eastern Madaya, eastern Amarapura and eastern Patheingyi townships and supplies Mandalay Palace moat.
A Pyin Oo Lwin District People’s Defense Team member said: “It appears the regime wants the air-defense battalion and dam, which are the most important sites in Madaya. They can regain control over Madaya if they get Sedawgyi back.”
Junta troops are moving from southern Madaya and are mustering around Mount Payaung between Madaya and Patheingyi townships, according to anti-regime groups.
Pro-junta Telegram channels have called for daily airstrikes on Madaya Township villages to target resistance groups.
Last Friday, three monks and 12 other civilians, including a child, were killed by junta airstrikes on a displacement camp at a monastery in Wawsu village in western Madaya. Over 30 others were wounded.
According to Madaya Township’s People’s Authority, nearly 10,000 people are sheltering at 32 camps across the township.
Sakyin village’s marble mines are controlled by Madaya People’s Authority. Marble mining and the operation of two military-owned conglomerates — Myanma Economic Holdings Limited and Myanmar Economic Corporation — around the village have ceased.
