Fighting has reportedly forced some locals to flee from the area around Madaya Township, located approximately 14 miles from Mandalay.
A resident of Mya Kantha Village said that artillery strikes were heard on the border of Patheingyi Township and Madaya Township on July 19. Mya Kantha Village is included in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region, bordering Madaya Township.
"We have a fish pond in the east of Mya Kantha village. They are shooting at there. The day before, we only heard the sound of artillery fires. It is not like the sound of exchanging fires.0020We also heard the sound of shooting from the air. But on July 19, we heard the sounds of fighting from both sides. Some said that drones were flying over their houses. So there were almost no people in the village. It's not convenient to stay in the village as no ship is opened. People who can't move stay in the monastery. As for us, we piled things up in a friend's yard Pathein Lay area, covered them with awnings, and had to gather there for a while. If we want to move, we can enter go to Mandalay. But when we arrive in Mandalay, where we can go with our belongings? I inquired about the rate of house rent, and I can't afford it because I have to pay 150,000 a month for six-month rent. Besides I have to pay advanced payment for rent,” said a resident of Mya Kantha Village.
The PDFs are attacking the security posts in Madaya Township and Singu Township, and the PDFs are taking positions up to the city of Singu, and the Tatmadaw is retaliating with air strikes.
"The village of Kyauktada between Madaya and Mya Kantha Village has almost been destroyed. The current situation is that the villages on the eastern side of Madaya are in a position related to Shan Yoma mountain range. Now, the villages of Thayatkai, Kingywa, and Limbo to the east of Mya Kantha Village are no longer there. They have been displaced. We have not heard of any heavy weapons falling into the villages, but there are cattle killed due to the weapons falling into the fields outside the village. There are many villages that have to be fled. Locals from Wutthonnaya area in Madaya side are also fled. All locals from Kyauktada Village are run away. Almost all locals from 6 or 7 villages are already fled away from the fighting. The teachers and students from the computer university have also moved,” said a local.
Currently, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) is fighting to capture Lashio city, when they are unable to capture the main battalions of the army around Lashio city, they are continuously firing homemade rockets into Lashio city. The explosions hit civilian homes, killing civilians and forcing the majority of Lashio residents to flee the city.
There is concern among the residents of Mandalay that the PDF and armed groups will destroy the stability of the city from a distance. Some wealthy people in Mandalay have plans to escape to Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon.
"We are all worried about the war coming to Mandalay. We know what happened to Lashio residents. We are not moving yet but we have to be prepared. For example, the gold shops don’t keep all the gold in Mandalay and they have moved it somewhere," said a gold trader from Mandalay.
A business woman from Mandalay said, "In our business, there are many people who commute daily between Madaya Township and Mandalay. Now that there is war around Madaya, they can no longer come. The business has also decreased. It has not stopped. We have to stay at home and cannot go abroad for work as we don’t feel safe for our house. We have bought a house in advance and made it possible to move somewhere else we think is safe."
An explosion occurred at the Mytel office at the corner of 62nd Street and 37th Street, Mahaaungmye Township, Mandalay City at around 4 am on July 19.
A statement by the PDF groups was circulated on social networks that the explosion was a suicide Drone attack on the security guard at the Mytel office, and two militiamen were killed and some exile media also reported the news.
According to a resident who lives near the incident, the explosion at the Mytel office was believed to be a hand-made mine explosion, and one person was injured.
At the moment, unlike some rumors, it is normal in Mandalay city, but for the security of Mandalay city, they are increasing the checkpoints entering and exiting the city.
"If it does happen, I only think about food. If we were to move, how far and how long would it be safe? Also, I don't think it has ever caused seriou damage to the city. It's not easy to avoid because there are children. So I'm thinking of staying with my family in my house," said a Mandalay resident.
Due to the ongoing fighting in the area around Madaya, which is about 21 miles away from Mandalay, security and checkpoints have been increased in and around Mandalay since early July.
"In addition to the existing gates entering and exiting the city, security has been increased at the new additional gates. I can see that the checks have been tightened," said a Mandalay resident.
It is also said that a new checkpoint has been added at the top of the compound of Mya Yay Nanda housing in Chanmyathazi Township, and inspections are being conducted day and night. In addition, checkpoints have been added near the end of Amarapura Township and the entrance to Sagaing City, and security and checkpoints have been increased along the Kannar Road.
Although security measures are being increased, there are also rumors that the army is stationed on privately owned high-rise buildings, which has found to be incorrect.
In particular, some residents of the Mya Yay Nanda housing denied rumors that the top floor of the Mya Yay Nanda housing in Chanmyathazi Township had been forced to evacuate.
Due to the ongoing fighting around Madaya, it was further investigated that there are some traffic disruptions as there are restrictions on entry into Mandalay from related areas.
In Mandalay, the situation in the city is stable on July 19 and traffic is normal, and those who spread rumors about the stability of the city have been arrested and detained.
