Myanmar junta troops at weapons factory shell villages in Aunglan Township, sparking fires and mass displacement

Mizzima

On 17 March, a junta military unit based within the Defence Industry 15 factory (KaPaSa 15) launched a heavy artillery assault on civilian areas in southwestern Aunglan Township, Magway Region.

Howitzer shells reportedly struck Intawthar village, causing multiple explosions that ignited a large fire in the northern section of the settlement.

“They are targeting a village called Ywarmahtone, located near the gate of the weapon factory. The northern section of Intawthar village has already been burned, and the fire is now spreading toward the south. There is no one left to control the flames,” the local source said.

The source also noted that artillery shelling hit Intawthar village on 16 March. While there were no human casualties, livestock were reportedly killed. The junta army has been continuously shelling villages in southwestern Aunglan Township since early March, sometimes accompanied by drone strikes.

As a result of the ongoing attacks, residents of Intawthar and nearby villages including Inywagyi, Si Ywar, Kyauksaung, Kazuninn, Chingonegyi, Sintoke, and Kyarmway have been forced to flee their homes, according to local sources.

“People are relocating either to the town or to villages that are not being targeted by shelling,” one resident said.

On 1 March, shelling by junta units also destroyed homes in Darsan village. Local organizations subsequently urged residents to remain vigilant and to dig shelters, as artillery attacks and drone strikes have been occurring daily in recent days.