At least 7 civilians killed in Sagaing Region airstrike as military counteroffensive escalates

At least seven civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured by an airstrike carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Ye-U Township’s Tint Tein Yan village in Sagaing Region on Monday. At least 11 vehicles and several homes were also destroyed, according to Ye-U residents. “So far, we have only recovered seven bodies, including one woman and six men. Search efforts are ongoing, including at a nearby pond close to the impact site. Some of the bodies were severely mutilated,” a rescue worker told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Ye-U is located 55 miles (88 km) northeast of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. The People Defence Force (PDF) in Ye-U confirmed the attack to DVB. “The bombs were dropped on a vehicle repair workshop near the railway station. Many people were killed and houses were damaged,” a Ye-U resident told DVB. An airstrike was previously carried out in Chaung-U Township, located 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Ye-U and 15 miles (24 km) south of Monywa, on Monday. No casualties were reported. A regime counteroffensive against the PDF along the Monywa-Yagyi-Kalay road began in August. Sources told DVB that a regime column of 700-800 troops has been conducting counteroffensive operations in four villages in Ye-U since late August, forcing an unknown number of residents to flee their homes. Regime forces recaptured Tamu Township’s Kammagyi and Htinzin villages in July, Khampat town on June 20, Mawlu town on May 5, Indaw town on April 30, and Tigyaing town on March 26. All five townships were previously seized, or partly controlled, by the PDF from 2023-25. Despite those territorial losses, the PDF and its allied resistance forces continue to hold or contest several areas in Sagaing seized from 2022-24, including Shwe Pyi Aye, Myothit and Pinlebu. All three are located 110-190 miles ( 175-305 km) north of Monywa.