At least 15 junta soldiers were killed and more than 10 were injured during two days of fighting in the Saw area of Sagaing Division, according to a 10 March statement by the Saw People Defense Force (PDF).

Saw PDF attacked a military council convoy of more than 150 people going from Saw Township towards the Kyaukhtu area with landmines on 8 and 9 March between Saw and Lal Gyi Ai villages.

“They hit our landmines. Another confrontation caused several casualties.” an officer from Saw PDF told Mizzima.

During the fighting, the guerrillas were able to withdraw without suffering any casualties and locals welcomed them with Aung Tha Pyay flowers (Flowers of Victory).

The junta soldiers that survived the attack continued marching towards Kyaukhtu.

Saw PDF urged locals to pay close attention to the movement of Military Council members and to report on it.

There is daily fighting between local PDFs and the junta forces in Saw, and military tensions remain high on both sides.