Residents along Irrawaddy River flee Myanmar Navy fleet; Min Aung Hlaing attends Martyrs’ Day event in Yangon

Residents along Irrawaddy River flee Myanmar Navy fleet 

Residents of villages and towns located along the Irrawaddy River, including Htigyaing Township of Sagaing Region, told DVB that thousands have fled their homes after the People’s Defence Force (PDF) warned them about incoming Burma Navy vessels travelling upstream towards Kachin State on Thursday. 

There are two combat vessels, two landing craft and 22 cargo boats, according to a resident who spoke to DVB on the condition of anonymity. Htigyaing is located 187 miles (300 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa and 129 miles (207 km) southwest of Kachin State’s Bhamo, where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has been fighting against regime forces over control of the town since Dec. 4.

Sources on the frontline in Bhamo told DVB that regime forces launched a counteroffensive against KIA-held areas around Theindawgyi Pagoda in Bhamo on July 17. Htigyaing is reportedly under regime control but fighting with the PDF began there in 2023. Residents of Htigyaing told DVB that the naval fleet carried hundreds of troops, rations, and ammunition.