A coalition of local resistance forces attacked 200 junta troops leaving Mya Thein Tan Pagoda Hill with landmines in Sagaing Region’s Kani Township, at around 6:30 am on 18 May.

About 200 junta troops set up camp on Mya Thein Tan Pagoda Hill on the evening of 17 May. When they moved out on the morning of 18 May a coalition of local resistance forces attacked them with landmines and heavy artillery.

“Landmines were planted in the area of Mya Thein Tan Pagoda. As far as I know, the first mine killed eight junta soldiers. As they moved on, two more mines exploded. Then, they headed to Ye Budalin village,” a member of the Kani Township people's defence force, Kyauk Lone Gyi (KLG) said to Mizzima.

The junta troops then went to Ye Budalin Village. According to a KLG member after they arrived in Ye Budalin at 8 am on 18 May they set fire to houses. Local resistance forces could see the damage from a distance and are concerned that the whole village may have been destroyed.

Later on the same day, the junta troops moved on to Chaung-Wagyi Village where they also set fire to the village and destroyed it.

Because of this the coalition of local resistance forces planted eight landmines near to Chaung-Wagyi Village and attacked the Junta troops with heavy artillery, killing over 20 junta soldiers, according to a KLG member.

Currently the junta troops are stationed near to Chaung-Wagyi Village and many villagers have fled their homes in fear, according to the coalition of local resistance forces.

The coalition that attacked the junta forces consisted of members from the following resistance groups: KLG; M & K the Boy; the People's Defence Army Yinmarbin (PDA); and other local defence forces.