Mogok residents say that fighting continues between the Military Council and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) about two miles away from Mogok town. Fighting began in the Sin Khwa, Kyauk Wa, and Chaung Gyi Baw Badan villages in Mogok last night, and some residents say that fighting continues today.
“The fighting is quite intense. I can hear the sound of artillery fire. I am very worried because I have to stay in the city. I knew there would be fighting, but in reality it is more than I thought,” said a Mogok resident. There are reports that at least 20 members of the Military Council were killed in the fighting last night. Some locals who are currently in the city also believe that the news is true. The military trainees are the ones who go to the front. The military trainees are the ones who die. “The main thing is that the military council is using the weapons to get out of the town,” said a resident of Mogok.
On the evening of November 29, the Military council troops entered Mogok town in vehicles, and there were about 1,000 people, including new recruits from the militia training, according to residents. The military council troops entered Mogok town exactly one month after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced on October 29 that it would withdraw from Mogok town. After the announcement on October 29, PDF battalions from Mandalay Region and other battalions were deployed to protect Mogok town.
In mid-November, the TNLA said that they would hand over the town to the military and called on the rebel groups not to open fire. Therefore, the PDF and the rebel forces withdrew from the city. Although the details of the agreement between the TNLA and the military council are not known, it is said that the PDFs attacked after military columns moved out of Mogok town. Currently, the military council troops are equipped with heavy weapons in some parts of Mogok town and are moving towards the villages where the fighting is taking place. It is reported that shooting is taking place.
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