From May 15 to June 14, 2026, despite a decrease in ground battles, the military conflict in Mon State saw no reduction in military pressure and tension. Only two clashes occurred in Mon State during the month, both on the same day in Bilin Township. However, the junta has strategically and intensely increased its use of air power over ground operations during the military government’s 100-day plan. Such air operations and military tensions, beyond military outcomes, continue to create long-term humanitarian crises for local civilians, affecting their safety, livelihoods, and displacement.
Civilians Unable to Return Home in Bilin Amid Tensions Between Revolutionary Joint Forces and Junta Army
On June 8, a battle occurred between a military column conducting area clearance operations and revolutionary joint forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which had blockaded and attacked the Lay Kay and Wintapan army camps in Bilin Township. Additionally, on June 9, revolutionary forces attacked the same military column with landmines between Wintapan and Ponnataw villages. [1]
The Lay Kay post was a camp that revolutionary forces were able to seize on April 12, 2026, but the military regained control on May 12. [2] Although Lay Kay and Win Tar Pan camps have not yet been recaptured by the revolutionary joint forces, incidents in June indicate that they remain blockaded and under pressure. The military heavily utilized air support to prevent the fall of their camps, leading to prolonged battles.
During these battles over the military camps, the military conducted a total of 83 airstrikes, 80 of which took place within Bilin Township. The impact of these attacks also spread to villages within Hpa-an Township in Karen State. As a result of these incidents, a total of approximately 20,000 civilians, including 13,026 from Bilin Township[3] and 6,286 from Hpa-an Township[4] —were forced to flee their homes to escape the conflict. Because military tensions remain high to this day, they have not yet been able to resettle back in their homes.
What Does the Airstrike in Ye Township Signify?
Although no major ground battles occurred in Ye Township between May 15 and June 14, military pressure did not diminish. The military utilized airpower to attack targets within the Upper Ye River (Ye Chaung Phyar) area on May 27 and June 3. These incidents demonstrate that even though ground clashes have decreased, the method of applying military pressure has simply shifted.
Since no clashes occurred at the time and location of the airstrikes, their primary objective may be to deter the movements of the revolutionary groups. The Upper Ye River (Ye Chaung Phyar) area consists of adjacent territories controlled by the ceasefire signatory New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Karen National Union (KNU). Because it is viewed as an area where anti-military groups operate, the attacks may also be intended to restrict their supply routes.
However, the impact of the airstrikes was not limited to military targets and extended to civilians as well. While the May 27 attack hit a military target, the “Ye Bilu camp,” the June 3 airstrike struck a plantation and killed one civilian. [5] Consequently, due to fears of aerial threats, about 1,000 local residents from Kinpun, Naung Pyar, Chaung Hnit Khwa, and Chedaik villages were forced to preemptively evacuate to safer areas. [6] This situation suggests that conflict in Ye Township has not decreased; rather, it has transformed into a pattern of conflict where pressure is applied through airpower instead of ground battles.
Conclusion
Overall, from mid-May to mid-June 2026, although ground battles decreased in Mon State, military tensions did not subside. In particular, the coup military increasingly used airstrike rather than ground operations, attempting to pressure the movements and supply lines of revolutionary groups. However, the impact of these operations is not only on military targets but also on civilians, and the increasing number of displaced persons and the inability to return home indicate that humanitarian challenges remain significant.
[1] Salween Press, June 11, 2026″In Bilin Township, while transporting injured patients, the Military Council column was attacked, and the patients were picked up by the DKBA Colonel Bi’s group.” https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BQqhUVFSy/
[2] Than Lwin Times, May 14, 2026Military regains control of Bilin Lay Kay village.Thanlwintimes
[3] Karen National Union, April 12, 2026: Due to aerial bombardments in Bilin Township, 13,026 people from 13 villages have been displaced.https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CWeHXAj9Z/
[4] Karen National Union, April 21, 2026: In Duthuhtu District, due to aerial and artillery attacks by the coup terrorist army, 1 civilian was killed and 1 civilian was injured, and those who fled their homes are in urgent need of assistance. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EQkDZof3F/
[5] Independent Mon News Agency, June 4, 2026: The military again bombed the villages in the Yechuangbyar region by plane.
[6] Mon Relief and Development Center, June 12, 2026: Relief Aid Provided to Civilians in Chaung Taung Village, Khawzar Sub-Township https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CtECFJDw3/
