Richard The military situation in Katha town, Sagaing Region, continues to be tense, and the military junta’s aircrafts are flying to scout over the city every day and providing reinforcements by helicopters and jet fighters, according to local sources.
Since December 28, the first phase of the military junta’s sham election, the revolutionary forces have been attacking military junta bases in Katha town, and the fighting has been intense since then.
During the early stages of the fighting, the revolutionary forces were able to capture not only the city entrance area (5), Bus station, and Ward (8), but also the Tat-U monastery near the military junta’s city garrison-the Infantry Battalion (309), but the rebels had to give up some areas due to the excessive use of aircrafts and heavy weapons by the military junta.
However, despite the heavy use of air force and heavy weapons, the rebels still control key areas such as the city gates, and the military situation remains tense, a source on the ground confirmed to BBM.
“The current military situation is that the PDFs cannot advance, the junta cannot advance, and they are firing each other as other side advances, so I also heard there are clashes.”
In addition, the military junta has been sending not only air strikes but also helicopters and military reinforcements to control Katha town since early January.
In recent days, the air force has been using two helicopters and Y-12 frequently, indicating that it is to support the ground forces, he added.
“The aircrafts have been used, yesterday they also used two helicopters and a Y-12, and this evening they used a Y-12 to support ground forces.”
In addition, the military junta is also using armored vehicles from the Infantry Battalion (309) to target areas where there may be rebel forces in Katha town, according to sources on the ground.
Due to the intense fighting, most of the residents of Katha town have been forced to flee not only to nearby villages but also to the Mezar area, and they are facing difficulties in livelihood.
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