Myanmar junta troops retreat to Budalin after clashes, airstrikes kill three civilians

Mizzima

An 80-strong junta column stationed in Pei Pyit Taw village, four miles north of Budalin town in Sagaing Region, retreated to the town on 27 August after clashes with resistance forces, according to local revolutionary groups.

“The fighting broke out a few hours ago while they were pulling back. There may have been casualties, but details are not yet confirmed. The column has now entered Budalin town,” said Ko Kye Ni of the Sagaing Federal ERST Committee.

The troops had advanced from Budalin on 25 August, triggering raids and forcing residents of nearby villages to flee. Reinforcements from the Northwestern Military Command in Monywa also entered Zee Taw village near the Budalin–Monywa border on the morning of 27 August and set it ablaze, destroying at least seven houses, local sources said.

Airstrikes accompanied the ground operations. On 26 August, the Budalin Mobile Team reported three separate attacks in the area. At around 3:30 pm, a paramotor dropped bombs near Taungkalat Monastery along the Budalin–Ayardaw road, killing a 16-year-old displaced girl. Later that evening, two fighter jets bombed a gas station on the outskirts of Thakwata village, igniting a fire that killed two civilians and injured several others.