Intense fighting in southern Kalay Township, junta forces suffer casualties and burn down Natchaung village

Yangon, July 17 Fighting has been occurring in the southern part of Kalay Township, Sagaing Region, and after suffering numerous casualties and losses, the military council forces burned down Natchaung village, according to local sources. Since July 15, intense clashes have been taking place between the military council troops and the allied revolutionary forces along the Kalay-Gangaw-Falam road in southern Kalay Township. It is reported that during these battles, the military council forces suffered many casualties, and some prisoners of war were captured. Furthermore, it is reported that the military council troops, having suffered losses in the battles, carried out more than 10 airstrikes with Mi-35 attack helicopters on villages near Natchaung village. Although the clashes have temporarily ceased, the military situation remains tense. Currently, the military council troops are stationed within Natchaung village and are receiving additional reinforcements of personnel, weapons, and provisions from Kalay city. It is reported that this column burned down civilian houses within Natchaung village on July 16. "The clashes intensified from the 15th. Although the fighting has temporarily stopped now, the military situation remains tense. The military has reinforced personnel and weapons from Kalay city. Yesterday, the military burned down houses in Natchaung village. The exact number of houses destroyed is not yet known. Soldiers are still in Natchaung village," said a local source. Due to this military council column, thousands of local residents from Natchaung village and nearby villages have been forced to flee to safety, and urgent food supplies are needed. Additionally, it is reported by local residents that military council bases in Kalay city are continuously carrying out indiscriminate shelling with heavy weapons towards nearby villages. Photo – A photo of a village in Mandalay Region being burned down by the military at night (an old photo)