AUNGLAN, Myanmar — Thousands of villagers in the Magway Region have been forced to flee their homes following a heavy artillery bombardment by Myanmar’s sham government, which left dozens of houses in ashes.
The attack occurred on Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026. Military units stationed at the entrance of Defense Industry Factory No. 15 (Ka-Pa-Sa 15) in Ywa Ma Htone reportedly fired more than ten rounds of howitzer shells toward In Taw Thar village.
According to local sources, at least five shells scored direct hits on In Taw Thar, sparking a massive blaze that gutted more than 40 homes, primarily in the southern part of the village.
“The shelling began around 10:00 and lasted until noon,” a local source told MPA. “While the exact number of casualties is still being verified, the physical destruction is immense. We saw at least 40 houses engulfed in flames.”
The bombardment is part of an escalating campaign in Aunglan Township that began in early March. Residents report that the sham government forces have been using howitzers and drones systematically to target surrounding communities.
Witnesses noted a buildup of heavy weaponry in the days leading up to the attack. On March 15, howitzers were reportedly transported through the center of Aunglan town to the Ka-Pa-Sa 15 facility.
“They are firing from multiple locations now—the Bwet Gyi gate south of town and the factory gate,” a resident explained. “In the evenings, they launch surveillance and attack drones from the Ka-Pa-Sa gate and the nearby Kyaw Swar steel factory.”
The persistent shelling and drone strikes have triggered a mass exodus. An estimated 5,000 people from eight villages, including In Taw Thar, In Ywa Gyi, Si Ywa, and Kyauk Saung, are currently seeking refuge in makeshift camps and forests.
The region has seen a steady increase in civilian targeting. On March 11, a drone strike on In Taw Thar village killed livestock and damaged residential property, signaling a shift toward the use of remote-controlled weaponry in the junta’s efforts to suppress local resistance.
The Magway Region, once a peaceful heartland, has been transformed into a volatile battleground as the sham government struggles to maintain control against local People’s Defence Forces (PDFs). Human rights groups have frequently condemned the military’s use of heavy artillery in residential areas, calling it a violation of international law.
