Junta forces have launched intense military operations and carried out coordinated arson attacks across three villages, Sin Myay, Nga Lone Tin, and Ma Hti Thar in Sagaing Region’s Chaung-U Township, forcing an estimated thousands of local residents to flee for safety.
A local resident told Mizzima that a junta column entered the targeted villages on 9 May and began burning down residential areas over the following weeks.
“They started the fires on 10 and 11 June. Many houses are affected. Currently, it’s three villages. We don’t know the exact number of destroyed houses yet as they are still burning them. Smoke has been rising continuously,” the resident stated on the morning of 11 June.
Beyond the destruction of property, the ongoing military operation has completely displaced inhabitants from at least six villages across Chaung-U Township. Civil society organizations note that these displaced populations are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, particularly food and temporary shelter.
Witnesses also reported widespread plundering of civilian property by the regime forces.
“The column hasn’t left yet. They were spotted looting and transporting villagers’ properties using 6-wheel and 12-wheel trucks. They are moving the goods to the town, to the Northwestern Regional Military Command and into Chaung-U,” the resident said.
The escalation follows a series of intense ground engagements in the area. According to the Chaung-U Township People’s Defence Team (PDT), junta forces originally launched their multi-pronged offensive into the township on 31 May. This deployment triggered fierce clashes with local revolutionary forces on 1, 3, 6, and 9 June, resulting in heavy casualties for the junta troops.
In anticipation of retaliatory measures, the Chaung-U PDT issued a public advisory on 10 June urging residents to remain highly vigilant and systematically dig or reinforce bomb shelters.
The warning was prompted by the continuous presence of junta reconnaissance drones hovering over the northwestern sector of the township, signalling the high potential for imminent airstrikes.
Mizzima attempted to contact the Chaung-U PDT to obtain further operational details, but communication has not yet been established.
