Mizzima

More than 10,000 people have fled from 14 villages in Sagaing Region’s Pale Township following a 15 February offensive by junta forces.

Junta soldiers and members of the junta aligned Pyu Saw Htee militia started attacking the villages at about 7:00 a.m. on 15 February.

Pyu Saw Htee militia members looted people’s belongings including jewellery and valuable items.

At the time of reporting the junta forces were stationed at Inmahtee Pyu Militia Camp in Inmahtee Pyu Village and locals were too scared to return to their homes.

“The troops arrived in the village in the early morning. When we heard they had entered the village, we fled to the nearest forest with some people going to other villages and other townships. No one dares to return home right now because the soldiers are stationed at Inmahtee Pyu Militia Camp and we need to pass through Inmahtee Pyu Village if we want to get to our villages,” a local resident said.