Fighting Intensifies West of Toungoo Expressway, Military Establishes Heavy Weapons Post Near Air Force HQ and Shells

Fighting has been intensifying for three consecutive days between the military and Toungoo District resistance forces west of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, between mileposts 145 and 152, in Toungoo Township, Bago Region. The military has established a fortified heavy weapons post near the Air Force Headquarters and is providing continuous shelling support to the west from this post, according to military sources. "On August 30th, from morning until afternoon, the military continuously shelled the west with heavy weapons. They shelled towards the upper reaches of the Kapoun stream. Local residents have been forced to flee urgently. The ground contact fighting is intense," a military source told the Irrawaddy Times. Starting from the morning of August 29th, the military deployed over 300 troops and entered villages such as Myapin Gyi, Kanyin Myauk, Thayet Pin Gone, and Phaung Seik within the village clusters of Wet Kho Sein, Kanyin Myauk, and Spar Kwell, located along the expressway. During the troop advance, the military fired heavy and small arms, and due to the continuous shelling support from the heavy weapons post near the Air Force Headquarters, many local residents have been forced to flee urgently. Currently, contact fighting between both sides continues to intensify, with significant casualties reported on the military side, as well as casualties among the resistance forces. This combat area is located in close proximity to key military centers such as the military's Southern Regional Military Command and the Air Force Headquarters, requiring the resistance forces to operate with extreme military caution, it is said. As the fighting continues to intensify, local military sources have urged travelers passing between mileposts 145 and 152 of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway to exercise extreme caution for their safety.