The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB that it killed 15 regime troops and took 16 others as prisoners, seizing their weapons and ammunition, following the capture of three outposts located in Thayatkine, Myakanthar and Htanbingon villages along the Mandalay-Madaya highway on Sunday. The villages are located 10 miles (16 km) north of Mandalay’s Chanayethazan Township.
A resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the regime has launched air and artillery strikes against the PDF in Myakanthar village of Patheingyi Township since Sunday. The number of civilian and resistance casualties was not shared by the PDF. But a member told DVB that dead and wounded regime troops have been transported to Mandalay from Myakanthar and Thayetkine villages.
U Toe, a PDF spokesperson, told DVB that regime forces had launched a counteroffensive in Madaya Township, located eight miles (13 km) northwest of Myakanthar village, on July 14. He added that both sides suffered casualties without disclosing the exact number and claimed that the situation is now “under control.”
The PDF claimed last July that it had seized 35 regime outposts in Madaya Township. Madaya is home to the regime’s Alpha Cement Factory. A resident there told DVB that the fighting has driven up commodity prices and disrupted transportation. A regime counteroffensive to retake Thabeikkyin Township, located 66 miles (106 km) north of Madaya, from the PDF is ongoing.
