Military shells Shwe Laung village in Htanbin Town, killing over 10 civilians and looting property

According to Ayeyarwaddy Times on September 18, more than 10 civilians were killed when the military dropped bombs and shelled Shwe Laung village in Htanbin Township, Taungoo District, Bago Region. On the morning of September 14, the military launched an attack with heavy weapons, claiming that revolutionary groups were present in Shwe Laung village. A local villager told Ayeyarwaddy Times, "Drop bombs were dropped on residential houses, and heavy weapons were fired at the village. Villagers also died from the bombs. Due to the sound of bombs and heavy weapons, villagers fled in disarray, and drop bombs were also dropped on those fleeing. More than 10 children, including a four-year-old child, and villagers died." Shwe Laung village is located at milepost 144 furlong 4 on the western side of the expressway in Htanbin Township, and it is known that PDF members frequently enter and exit the area. Residents of Shwe Laung village, Bo Goun village, Ma Laung Goun village, and surrounding villages have fled to safer locations, leaving behind their homes, cattle, pigs, and motorcycles due to the dropping of drop bombs and continuous shelling. One displaced person said, "People can no longer live in the villages; they have all fled. The military is transporting household furniture and electrical appliances by trucks. It is fortunate that they did not set fire to the village." It is reported that the military has taken control of more than 10 villages west of the main expressway, including Shwe Laung village, and displaced local residents are monitoring the combat situation.