Fighters of a local militia opposed to Myanmar’s junta have pulled back from the northwestern town of Mindat after days of assault by combat troops backed by artillery, a member of the group said on Sunday. Army-controlled Myawaddy television said on Saturday that some security forces were killed and others missing after attacks by “unscrupulous people”. Security forces would work day and night to bring order, it added. The US and British embassies in Myanmar voiced concern for civilians in Mindat. At least 790 people have been killed by the junta’s security forces in crackdowns on protests against its rule, according to the activist group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Source: The Irish Times May 16, 2021 16:07 UTC