Summary of News
- Artillery shell explosion in Sittwe’s Muslim quarter claims 8 lives, leaves 12 severely injured
- Fleeing junta Lt Col and other troops from Minbya central advanced training school killed
- KIA takes control of roads to Hpakant, Kachin State, following seizure of Tar Ma Hkan base
- IED attack targets Myawaddy housing complex in central Yangon, aimed at junta’s MEC officials responsible for jet fuel importation
- Junta policeman killed, two others injured in a hand grenade attack in Myinmu; Civilian fatally shot by police
- Drone attack on military junta checkpoint in Chaung-U kills three soldiers and sets checkpoint on fire
- Urgent medicine needed for internally displaced people in Wetlet township, Sagaing Region
- Local security team arrests five men for sexual assault on juvenile in Monywa, Sagaing Region
1. Artillery shell explosion in Sittwe’s Muslim quarter claims 8 lives, leaves 12 severely injured
According to local reports, an explosion from an artillery shell that occurred around 9:00 p.m. on March 9 in the Muslim quarter of Sittwe resulted in the deaths of 8 individuals and left 12 others severely injured.
Western News stated that one of the five artillery shells fired by Sittwe-based Police Battalion No. 12 landed and exploded between Kathae Ywa ward and Inbarlar (Aung Mingalar) ward, where Muslim residents reside. The explosion claimed the lives of 5 Muslim individuals at the scene, with an additional 3 dying of injuries after being transported to Sittwe General Hospital. Among the 12 individuals receiving medical treatment at the hospital, some are reported to be in critical condition. The deceased include two elderly individuals and two children, with most of the injured being women, according to reports.
Earlier, on February 19, the Sittwe-based Navy station fired artillery shells at Sittwe City Market, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 civilians and injuring many others.
Reportedly, residents of Sittwe have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety, as junta bases frequently launch artillery shells into the town.
2. Fleeing junta Lt Col and other troops from Minbya central advanced training school killed
In a statement issued on March 10, the Arakan Army (AA) announced that Lieutenant Colonel Ye Htut Win and some other junta troops, who were fleeing from the No. 9 Military Advanced Training Depot, also known as the No. 9 Central Military Training School in Minbya, were chased and killed on March 8. The AA had seized control of the base in late February following a ten-day intense battle, prompting the remaining junta forces to flee chaotically. Additionally, the AA disclosed that they rescued 20 civilians who had been held hostage by the aforementioned lieutenant colonel and his troops.
The AA asserted that it has been capturing fleeing junta troops from various bases across Rakhine State, both alive and dead, on a daily basis as part of its ongoing pursuit and attack operations.
The AA also cautioned residents to exercise caution when travelling outside, warning of the possibility that disoriented junta troops may hide in the jungles and forests, either individually or in groups.
Moreover, the AA issued a warning to the remaining junta bases in Rakhine State, urging them to surrender by raising white flags before it’s too late.
3. KIA takes control of roads to Hpakant, Kachin State, following seizure of Tar Ma Hkan base
According to local reports, the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) captured the military junta’s 119th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-119) base near Tar Ma Hkan village, Hpakant township, Kachin State, and subsequently seized control of the roads leading to Hpakant township. The KIA-led revolutionary forces had captured the base at 8:00 p.m. on March 9 following a 13-day offensive. Before the capture of the LIB-119, which is located near the border with Monhyin township, KIA-led revolutionary forces first captured the village police station in late February.
Local news sources indicate that the military junta cut off internet communication in neighbouring Mohnyin township following the KIA’s control of the roads to Hpakant.
Meanwhile, fighting near the KIA headquarters in Laiza is ongoing as the KIA-led forces continue their offensive against junta bases in the area.
4. IED attack targets Myawaddy housing complex in central Yangon, aimed at junta’s MEC officials responsible for jet fuel importation
The Yangon People’s Defence Team (Yangon Pa-Ka-Fa) reported that its Special Force carried out an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on the Myawaddy housing complex in central Yangon. This complex, located in Mingalartaungnyunt township on Upper Pansodan Street, is known to house officials from the military conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC). According to the defence force, the housing complex, situated in a military-owned area, is primarily occupied by individuals from MEC’s jet fuel procurement department. The attack reportedly occurred at 5:00 a.m. on March 5 and caused significant damage. Consequently, junta forces have blocked Upper Pansodan Street and initiated a rigorous investigation.
The blockade of jet fuel holds significant importance as the military junta utilises airstrikes, often targeting civilian areas, particularly where resistance is strong, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
Throughout this month, revolutionary forces based in Yangon have consistently targeted junta facilities in the city.
5. Junta policeman killed, two others injured in a hand grenade attack in Myinmu; Civilian fatally shot by police
The combined people’s defence forces launched an assault on a group of five junta policemen from Myinmu Police Station who were travelling on motorcycles around 10:30 p.m. on March 8. The attack, conducted by the TRUE Fighter (Myinmu Guerrilla Force) and ZERO Guerrilla Force (Myingyan), involved the use of an improvised hand grenade. According to TRUE Fighter, the grenade struck one of the motorcycles carrying junta policemen, resulting in the death of one policeman at the scene and causing severe injuries to two others.
During the attack, indiscriminate gunfire from the junta policemen injured a civilian woman who was inside her own home. Additionally, the following morning, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the junta policemen fired their guns indiscriminately when they returned to retrieve the damaged motorcycle from the scene, reportedly resulting in the death of another civilian.
6. Drone attack on military junta checkpoint in Chaung-U kills three soldiers and sets checkpoint on fire
The combined people’s defence forces launched a drone attack on a military junta checkpoint in Chaung-U township, Sagaing Region. The attack happened around noon on March 9. The forces involved were the Shwebo Zeyar Thway People’s Defence Team, the Bo Mi Chaung People’s Defence Team, and the 4th, 8th, and 12th battalions of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Monywa District, along with the MSDF. They used advanced Shar Htoo Waw technology fixed-wing drones to drop 22 grenades on the checkpoint.
As a result, the checkpoint caught fire, and three junta soldiers were killed while five others were severely injured, as reported by the Shwebo Zeyar Thway People’s Defence Team. After the incident, two fire engines from the Chaung-U Fire Department reportedly arrived to put out the fire at the checkpoint, while the junta troops retaliated with artillery and gunfire.
The Shwebo Zeyar Thway People’s Defence Team urged people both at home and abroad to support them financially to speed up their military operations.
7. Urgent medicine needed for internally displaced people in Wetlet township, Sagaing Region
On March 8 and 9, the medical team from the Shwebo Township Independent Support Group, consisting of CDM healthcare personnel, visited displaced individuals from four villages—Thae Bote Kyi, Shein Makar, Ywa Thit, and In Daung—in Wetlet township, Sagaing Region. These people had their homes burned down by military junta forces. The medical team provided healthcare services, attending to 180 people on March 8 and 200 on March 9. Most of the displaced individuals are suffering from heatstroke and fever. Additionally, there are pregnant women and individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and leprosy among them. However, medical treatment was halted due to a shortage of medicine.
The Shwebo Township Independent Support Group is appealing for donations from both domestic and international donors, as they are facing a shortage of funds to support the increasing number of internally displaced people.
8. Local security team arrests five men for sexual assault on juvenile in Monywa, Sagaing Region
The Monywa Township People’s Security Team has revealed that five men who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in Monywa township, Sagaing Region, have been apprehended. The security team mentioned that perpetrators intimidated the victim using knives and scissors, deceived her with gifts of rice, 5000 kyats, and snacks, and assaulted her separately in different locations. The team assured that a legal case would be filed and appropriate actions would be taken according to the law. Furthermore, it was mentioned that the victim’s mother suffers from mental illness.
The security team pledged that it would continue to identify and address cases of sexual assault, fraudulent acquisitions, and other crimes in Monywa township.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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