YANGON: Myanmar’s military launched heavy airstrikes on Monday in a bid to retake the town of Tabayin from pro-democracy insurgents, hours after they captured it, insurgents said. This escalation comes as around 20,000 people fled another town, Indaw, amid a new offensive by anti-junta fighters.
The junta’s airstrikes targeted Tabayin, located in the Sagaing region, following its capture by the People’s Defense Force (PDF), a militia opposing the military regime. Bo Kyar Gyi, a leader of the Tabayin-based PDF, reported that the group was forced to retreat due to continuous air bombardments. “We had to retreat or face severe casualties from the airstrikes,” Gyi told Radio Free Asia.
The military’s response included deploying Mi-35 attack helicopters from the Northwestern Regional Command headquarters in Monya to support their ground troops, who were attempting to regain control of the town. The PDF had captured Tabayin, a town with approximately 14,000 residents, after intense fighting over several days, targeting six military and junta-backed militia positions.
The PDF, aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG), reported that the last remaining junta soldiers abandoned their positions early on Sunday. The insurgents captured two pro-junta militia members along with 123 junta administration workers and their families. The clash resulted in the deaths of more than 20 junta soldiers and militia members, alongside two PDF fighters.
Residents of Tabayin and PDF members reported widespread destruction due to the airstrikes, which severely damaged homes and other buildings. The military has taken refuge in three local monasteries — Mya Thein Tan, Kone Thar Oo, and Poba Yone — after the town’s police compound was obliterated.
The situation in Tabayin prompted a mass exodus, with around 20,000 people fleeing to nearby areas, including villages along the main road to Ye-U. The town’s strategic location, linking several key townships such as Monywa, Budalin, and Ayadaw, has heightened its importance in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, around 20,000 people have also fled from the town of Indaw, about 250 km north of Mandalay. The PDF launched an offensive against police and military positions in Indaw on Friday, prompting a severe response from the junta, including airstrikes. Residents reported that most of the population fled towards Kachin State, leaving the town nearly deserted.
The United Nations has reported that the conflict in Myanmar has displaced approximately 3 million people, with many fleeing as violence has surged, especially since the start of the year.
