At least 20 killed by Myanmar forces in Ayeyarwady delta, media reports

This handout photo from local media group Kantarawaddy Times taken on May 10, 2021 and released on June 4 shows military training conducted by the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) ethnic rebel group in Kayah State. - AFP

YANGON, June 5 (Reuters): At least 20 people were killed by Myanmar's security forces in the Ayeyarwady river delta region on Saturday after villagers armed with catapults and crossbows fought back against troops searching for weapons, local media and residents said.

That would make it the heaviest civilian death toll in nearly two months. Some 845 people had previously been killed by the army and police since the Feb. 1 coup, according to an activist group. The junta has disputed that figure.