A column of junta soldiers arrested 50 villagers in Magwe Region’s Yesagyo Township and forced them to accompany the column when it left the village, according to MG6 Myingyan Guerrilla Force (MG6).

On the morning of 13 September, a column of junta soldiers marched from Nyaungpin Village in Yesagyo Township to Wahboe Village, also in Yesagyo Township. When they arrived there they arrested 50 villagers.

When the column left Wahboe Village, at about noon on 13 September, the soldiers forced the arrested villagers to accompany them.

As they left the village the column was attacked with mines by combined defence forces. The mine attack was followed by a 15-minute gun battle, according to MG6.

“After we attacked with mines, there was an exchange of fire. We saw some of Junta’s soldiers were hit and later one of our members was hit in the abdomen by a Junta bullet. That’s why we had to retreat immediately”, said Ko Chan from 5th Battalion of MG6 Guerilla force.

Local people’s defence force (PDF) groups said they believed that the military column had been trying to march to Yayar Village in  Yesagyo Township to reinforce other junta forces there. But, following the attack, the junta troops retreated back to Wahboe Village where, as Mizzima went to press, they remained.

“I think the 50 hostages are still with the Military Council. Most of the hostages are women and we are scouting them [the junta soldiers] to find out the situation [in Wahboe Village]. I haven’t heard any news yet, but I don’t think that they will move without taking the hostages because they [the junta] know we care about civilian lives”, said Ko Chan.

The defence forces that carried out the attack on the junta column were: MG6 Myingyan Guerrilla Force, Yesagyo NO.1 Guerrilla force and YLK New Power PDF.

The junta military has been carrying out an offensive in Yesagyo Township since the first week of September, according to MG6.