3 March 2026 – Intense fighting continues in Pale township of Sagaing Region, with allegations emerging that the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) military has used chemical bombs in recent airstrikes.
Ground combat escalated following the entry of SSPC military columns into Pale township on 21 February. Heavy clashes began on 28 February and have persisted for three days.
A member of a local defence force reported that the Myanmar junta military deployed chemical bombs during airstrikes conducted by four jet fighters on 2 March. “The bombing continued until night. They have started using chemical bombs as well,” the member stated, emphasizing the ongoing ferocity of the fighting.
The conflict saw severe ground fighting on 1 March when joint People’s Defence Force (PDF) and People’s Security Force (Pa Ka Fa) units attacked an SSPC military column, which was receiving air support. The SSPC reportedly suffered heavy casualties, though the defence forces also sustained losses.
The renewed conflict follows a 17 February raid by the joint PDF/Pa Ka Fa on the camps of the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) group, led by Bo Nagar. Bo Nagar and some BNRA members subsequently defected to the SSPC military on 18 February.
Since 19 February, the SSPC military has sent reinforcements. Starting 21 February, SSPC troops entered villages near Pale town in two columns, allegedly conducting propaganda, burning the homes of individuals associated with the PDF, and detaining locals.
Residents claim that the SSPC’s military operations and arson are based on information about revolutionary fighters and their families provided by Bo Nagar and the surrendered BNRA members.
On the morning of 3 March, additional SSPC military columns advanced from Zee Hpyu Kone’s Pyusawhti (Pro-SSPC militia) village. Approximately 12 villages have been temporarily displaced as locals monitor the security situation. – Reporting by Daniel
