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At Least Ten Civilians, Including Monks, Killed in Clashes Near Pala Town

HURFOM: At least ten civilians, among them Buddhist monks, have been killed in a month of fierce fighting near Pala Town, Palaw Township, Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region, according to local sources.
The clashes began on July 24 when junta forces attempted to push into the area. Their offensive was met with counterattacks by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and allied resistance groups, sparking nine major battles and multiple smaller skirmishes.

As the fighting intensified, the junta carried out repeated airstrikes and artillery shelling, hitting civilian areas indiscriminately. Local residents confirmed that eight villagers and two Buddhist monks were killed by junta fire. “The military deliberately shot at villagers. From what I know, at least two people were killed directly in that way. The actual number of deaths is higher than the official reports. Many families are still trapped inside their homes in Pala, and we don’t yet know the full picture,” said one man who witnessed the violence.

Resistance fighters were able to rescue more than 330 residents who had been trapped inside the town. However, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with people displaced and living in fear of further attacks.
On the battlefield, resistance groups reported killing 53 junta soldiers and injuring 48 more. The junta, meanwhile, launched 11 airstrikes and 26 artillery strikes from naval vessels. Resistance forces also captured weapons, including rifles, grenades, and a drone.

The fighting has also taken a toll on the resistance. Three PDF fighters and one member of the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) were killed, with one more injured. Despite this, joint forces—comprising PDF battalions under the 34th and 35th Strategy Commands, the Tanintharyi Drone Battalion, local People’s Defense Teams, Palaw PDF, KNDO Battalion 7, and KNLA Brigade 4 special units—have continued to resist the junta’s advance.

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