Junta helicopter gunships have been pounding and setting fire to houses in a number of villages in Yinmarbin Township in Sagaing Region, according to local residents.

On 14 August, villages in Yinmarbin and Pale Townships such as Zee Phyu Gone, Ywar Naung, Mone Thwin, Zee Yin and Yin Paung Tai were attacked by the junta using helicopters and homes were burnt.

"The junta started attacking the villages at 7 am on 14 August,” said a local resident in Yin Paung Tai village. “They started with Yin Paung Tai village and then at around 10 o'clock another two helicopters arrived and fired on villages. They even brought soldiers with two helicopters and dropped them in my village.”

Local residents confirmed that the offensive in the area has been underway since 11 August.

Given the danger posed by Military Council troops in Yin Paung Tai Village and other neighbouring villages in Yinmarbin, the exact extent of damage and injuries is not yet known, according to local villagers who are attempting to take shelter from the attacks.

Many areas in Sagaing Region have suffered from junta offensives and clashes with local resistance groups over the last 12 or more months.