Myanmar junta drone and artillery strikes destroy homes in western Madaya following deadly river island clash

Mizzima

Tensions in western Madaya Township, Mandalay Region, escalated on 18 and 19 March as military junta forces launched a series of drone and artillery attacks on Moegyoe village.

The assault, which destroyed at least four civilian homes, followed a lethal confrontation between junta troops and local resistance forces on a nearby river island, according to the Wetlet Informational Network.

Junta forces reportedly shelled the village and carried out drone strikes, the source said.

The source added that the troops based in Seinpankone village launched the assault at around 6 pm on 18 March.

“There was a clash between junta troops stationed in Seinpankone and resistance forces, and the following day they began drone strikes,” a local resident told reporters on 19 March.

According to the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Madaya Township, junta troops had moved from Seinpankone village to a river island west of the Ayeyarwady River on 17 March, where fighting broke out.

The clashes reportedly left two junta personnel dead and seven others injured, according to a local People’s Defence Organization (PDO).

Local sources said junta forces remain deployed in villages across western Madaya Township, where they frequently carry out artillery attacks and are reportedly moving and operating toward Singu Township.