Laukkai, 24 December
The military council has recently conducted more aerial bombardment in three towns in northern Shan State, killing civilians and damaging houses, reported the MNDAA and TNLA.
From December 18 to 22, the junta air force carried out at least 275 airstrikes in and around Mantong and Kutkhaing towns in Ta’ang region, including Lauk Shant Htan town near Laukkai in Kokang region.
According to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), fierce fighting erupted in Kokan after the junta army launched an offensive at the outpost of MNDAA in Lauk Shan Htan in Kokang since 18 December.
The military regime conducted nearly 50 aerial assaults from December 18 to 21, said the MNDAA.
The Kokang region was targeted by air raids at a number of sites, including the area of Lauk Shan Htan border guard outpost in Kokang, LaukKai 311 Peace Square, and the area surrounding Laukki.
Residential areas have also become the target of airstrikes, and MNDAA said that the destruction of residential areas and the death toll due to airstrikes could not be estimated at this time.
Than Lwin Times tried to reach MNDAA spokesperson Lee Kyar Win to find out the situation of the battle, including the damage in the Kokang area due to junta airstrike, but received no response.
The junta army conducted more than 220 aerial bombings, including around 100 artillery shelling from December 19 to 22 in Ta’ang region, causing explosion in and around Mong Tong Town, said the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The attack damaged power posts in Lwekan village and displaced camps in Mong Tong. Besides, a house was engulfed by fire, 15 houses and a monastery were destroyed and a woman was wounded by shrapnel.
Similarly, the artillery shell fired by junta army exploded Lwepe village Kutkhai Town, killing one civilian and injuring two others around 3 p.m. on 21 December, according to the TNLA.
The TNLA attacked Infantry Battalion 130 in Mong Tong around 6 a.m. on December 22, resulting in a clash between the two sides, and another clash erupted around 3 p.m. in a junta base in Kutkhaing.
The response of Major General Zaw Min Tun, who has been reporting on the current situation, has not been seen on social media, including junta-backed newspapers since December 15 until today.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-CJ
Thanlwintimes