A clash broke out between 150 troops from military council infantry and local guerrillas near Parami village in Ye-U Township, Sagaing Division on the morning of January 2, a member of Ye- U People's Defense Force (Ye-U PDF) said.

"Villages have been shelled since the morning by the military troops. At about 10 o'clock, we approached with heavy weapons and small arms. They also fired back about 15 minutes with heavy weapons and small arms. As soon as we fired, we retreated. So far, military troops are still shooting at areas where we could be,” he said yesterday.

He said seven military soldiers were killed in a guerrilla attack. The Ye-U PDF member told Mizzima that the death of the military soldiers was confirmed by checking with a drone.

Yesterday shelling by the military council destroyed a house and a chicken farm in Tarmataw village. The exact casualties are still being investigated.

On December 20, six military helicopters fired at Yay Myat village in Ye-U Township, and junta soldiers dropped from their helicopters and set fire to houses in the village.

Seven villagers were also killed by the junta soldiers. As a result of the violence by the military council, about 6,000 locals from 14 villages in and around Yay Myat village have fled.