Fighting erupts only 5 miles away from Mandalay

Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 24 September 2024

Gun fighting erupted between the resistance forces, including People's Defense Forces (PDF), and the junta soldiers in western Madaya township, which is just 5 miles away from Mandalay.

"There is heavy fighting going on in Mingun and Madaya towns. The junta forces are conducting airstrikes, especially on  Thone Se Pay village. The residents are fleeing and there are casualties among the villagers because of junta’s air strikes,” said a resident of Mandalay.

Since 6  am on 21 September, the fighting broke out in Mingun and Madaya areas as well as in Thone Sel Pay and Nyaung Kone villages, where the  junta soldiers conducted airstrikes and shelling.

Wetlet Informational Network released a statement on 21 September saying that the junta forces also set many public houses of  Thone Se Pay village on fire. They also conducted six airstrikes using a fighter jet that flew from Tada-U airport.

The residents reported that the fighting was intense and they could hear the sound of shelling and airstrikes.

In Thone Se Pay village, frequent clashes were reported and the junta forces conducted airstrikes and shelling to prevent the PDF columns marching towards Mandalay.

Many residents of Thone Se Pay village and surrounding areas fled to other places.

On 20 September, the junta soldiers conducted airstrikes on Ngan Myar Gyi village in Ngan Zun township under Mandalay region. Later on 21 September, they carried out airstrikes on Moe Htaung and Kone Lel villages.