Local Residents in Jai River in Fear as Military Council Fires Heavy Weapons
19 July, 2025
In Kyaik Maraw Township, Mon State, residents are living in fear as military council troops and battalions stationed along the Jai River area continue to indiscriminately fire heavy weapons into the villages on a daily basis, according to local sources.
Starting from the second week of July, although no clashes have occurred, military council troops from the Kyaik Maraw-based 208th Infantry Regiment, the Zarthapyin-based Light Infantry Battalion 81, and the monastery near Dhammathat Village—where artillery has been deployed—have been indiscriminately firing heavy weapons on a daily basis.
“The military is firing heavy weapons from the village near Kyone Doe, where the fighting is currently taking place. The shells are mainly landing in residential yards, and they’re mostly fired at night. With such indiscriminate firing, there’s real concern that they could hit homes,” said a local source.
A local source further stated that, due to the explosions caused by the heavy artillery shells fired by the military council forces, most residents in the Jai river area have been warned by the village administrator to notify him in advance for any travel, whether for urgent or regular matters, and that locals are remaining cautious.
In addition, residents from villages along the Jai River area—such as Kawplone, Dhammathat, Than Kalaung, Tayar Nar, and Kawbein—although there have been no casualties so far, report that indiscriminate heavy weapon fire has caused damage to homes.
“They don’t dare go to their farms and gardens; some have moved to the city out of fear of attacks. Now, the village administrators are carrying out preparatory work to minimize the damage caused by artillery shells,” said a local.
On June 10, 2025, the military council fired heavy weapons at Mauk Kyaing Village in Kyone Doe Town, injuring four children from Kon Myint Thar Ya Ward.
In addition, the military council forces have been indiscriminately firing heavy weapons around Kyone Doe Town in Kawkareik Township, Karen State. Meanwhile, the Karen National Liberation Army and allied forces have been active in nearby villages, causing local residents to fear that clashes may soon erupt within the villages.
In addition to heavy weapons fire, local residents reported that fighter jets have been flying over the villages daily.
Due to the military council’s airstrikes and heavy weapons fire, there have been numerous casualties, as well as significant damage to homes, schools, and monasteries.
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