Military junta conducting military operations in Myaingbu (Sagu), over 20 villages displaced

Photo – Situation after Me Chaung Village was air-attacked on June 30. Over 10,000 residents from more than 20 villages are fleeing due to the military junta conducting military operations with three columns in Myaingbu (Sagu) Township, Magway Region, according to sources from Myaingbu (Sagu) Township. It is known that since June 15, one column of the military junta with over 100 soldiers arrived at Poar Village on the east bank of the Mann Creek, and in the early part of this month, another column from Shwe Set Taw and a column from Watat, located at the border of Pwint Phyu and Sagu townships, have been conducting military operations in villages on the west bank of the Mann Creek. Currently, due to these columns, residents from villages such as Me Chaung, Khon Thar, Nyaung Koing, Myaung Oo, Kutin Gone, Phu Gone, Nyaung Gone Lay, Gyi Kan, Ku Village, Si Thar, Myaung Cha, Mot Khe, Chin Gone, Pan Lua, Taw Chaung Gone, Kan Gone, Bhu Ma No, Poar Village Lay, Chaung Pan Gone, and Myae Chaung on the west bank of the Mann Creek, as well as residents from Ka Wet and Poar villages on the east bank of the Mann Creek, are fleeing. Some analyses suggest that the military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Myaingbu on July 12, as reported in the military junta-controlled newspaper published today (July 13), might have led to military operations within a 20-mile radius of Myaingbu and Sagu townships. Sources say that the displaced people are currently facing difficulties and are unable to carry out agricultural activities. "It is the rainy season, so the people face difficulties in fleeing. What is worse is the Mann Creek on the west side of our Myaingbu (Sagu) Township. On the west side of the Mann Creek, people mainly cultivate sesame. When it was time to harvest the sesame after planting, these military operations prevented the people from harvesting their sesame," the source added. It is said that the military junta's column arrested about three people from Myaung Oo Village and about five people from Kutin Gone Village during the first week of July, and there are reports of some being killed, but Mizzima has not yet been able to independently confirm this. Mizzima is still trying to contact the Myaingbu-Sagu Pekaf to inquire about the situation in Myaingbu (Sagu) Township. On June 28, the Myaingbu-Sagu Pekaf and allied forces attacked and completely burned down the military junta's outpost at the head of the Myaingbu (Sagu) Garden Bridge, as announced by the Myaingbu-Sagu Pekaf on July 2. On June 30, the military junta air-attacked Me Chaung Village, resulting in one civilian death and three injuries, according to a source. The deceased was reportedly an elderly man over 60 years old. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo