A column of the Military Council which burned down 11 villages in the eastern part of Shwegu Township in Kachin State, has now approached the western part of Shwegu, crossing the Ayeyarwady River, and causing residents to flee the area.

According to a local eyewitness, a column of about 50 Military Council soldiers departed for the other side of the Ayeyarwady River in the early hours of April 20th.

A villager said " At approximately 1:00 am this morning, around 50 soldiers began to depart, moving covertly. It is reported that the military column intends to target villages across the river for further operations.”

That military column is the same force that burned 11 villages including Sithar, Sithaung, Simugyi, Nanlat, and Nanlatgyi in eastern Shuwegu in early April. These villages were reportedly subjected to aerial bombardments as well.

Following the destruction of the afore-mentioned villages, the military column withdrew to Shwegu town on April 12 th , and took up residence in the town's monasteries. Approximately one week later, they reportedly departed again to launch operations in the villages situated across the river.

The villages of Yayle, Moesit, Paukkone, Myokone, Sintat, and Singar are located on the western side of Shwegu, and separated by the Ayeyarwady River.

A joint force consisting of troops from the 77th Infantry Division, 10th Infantry Division, and 88th Infantry Division under the Military Council is responsible for burning down 11 villages on the eastern side of Shwegu. The soldiers from that column threatened the residents of Shwegu, stating that they would burn down the entire town in response to a single gunshot.

In September and October of last year, the Junta forces attacked Yayle and Moesit villages located to the west of Shwegu. The residents of these villages had to flee to safety as their houses were burned down or bombarded by artillery. Civilians were also killed, injured, and arrested during the attack.