An estimated 4,500 residents have fled their homes since junta troops launched an offensive on Taungmaw Town, in Sagaing Region’s Kawlin Township, at 10:00 a.m. on 16 November.

By 17 November, 70 junta troops had stationed themselves in Nyaungkine Village near to Taungmaw Town in Kawlin Township.

Because of this and because they fear further fighting between junta troops and defence forces 4,500 residents of seven nearby villages in Kawlin Township have fled their homes, according to the Kawlin Revolution (KR) defence force.

So far in 2022, junta troops have destroyed 178 houses and a monastery in Kawlin Township, according to KR.

According to a report by the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar, the junta has destroyed 38,568 houses and religious buildings in 81 townships across Myanmar since the February 2021 coup until 31 October 2022.