A military column torched Kyaukka (South) village in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, on 18 August following clashes with resistance forces nearby, according to the Township People's Security Forces.

The Monywa Township True News Report Team said the troops began setting fire to the village around 7:49 pm.

“The burning started last night. There’s no fire this morning, but resistance groups here are preparing to launch an attack as the military column has arrived,” said Ko Ar Ku, a member of the Township People's Security Forces.

The column, which left the Northwestern Military Command camp on 8 August, has been torching villages along its route and is currently based at Monywa University of Economics. 

Local organizations said it has burned at least four villages, including Yenangon and Kyaukka (South).

“They burn villages, even where there are oil fields. When they arrive, the owners flee, and the troops extort money, demanding payment to avoid having their property set on fire,” Ko Ar Ku said.

At least 10 civilians have been detained along the column’s path. As of 19 August morning, the troops were in Kyaukka (North) village and reinforced by another unit from Ayardaw, raising their numbers to about 400, according to resistance groups, who described the situation as tense.