A military junta column of approximately 300 troops has triggered a mass exodus in the Mandalay Region, forcing tens of thousands of residents from 14 villages to flee their homes since 1 May.

The offensive began in the early hours of 1 May when the military column moved from Taung Pu to Sin Chaung village. By that evening, troops had looted the village and set it ablaze, destroying 56 houses. The campaign of destruction continued into 2 May with the torching of Gin Gae village.

“There are many villages, so there are around tens of thousands of locals. As the column is still present, locals are still unable to return,” a local resident said at around 1:00 pm on 4 May.

Junta troops have reportedly been setting fire to villages, forcing residents to flee across the Ayeyarwady River and take shelter in Myaung Township.

According to Ko Nway Oo, leader of the Myaung Township People’s Defence and Security Group, the junta column opened fire with both heavy and small arms while civilians were crossing the river, although no injuries were reported.

“The number of houses burned in Gin Gae village is lower than in Sin Chaung, but the exact figure is not yet known,” said Ko Nway Oo.

Due to the presence of the junta column, tens of thousands of residents from 14 villages in Myingyan Township – Ta Loke, Taw Pu, Kyar Tine, Sint Kut, Thein Ywar, Kan Taw, Ma Yoe Kone, Phet Pin Aing, Kan Par Ni, Sin Chaung, Nyaung To, Ya Nan To, Kaing, and Gin Gae – have been forced to flee their homes.