Military Council troops launched an offensive in Pauk Township in Magway, and an approximately 8,000 residents fled due to soldiers setting fire to houses in the villages, according to local people.

Starting at 8 am on 8 December, 80 soldiers set fire to more than 10 villages in Pauk Township, including Kyatthike, Lallan, and Tharaphi.

"They (junta) started fires in Kyatthike village at 8 am, then Lallan and Tharaphi, and the village of Lallan was almost completely destroyed,” a Kyatthike villager told Mizzima. “Three villages were destroyed in a row, and neighbouring villagers had to flee for safety."

Locals estimate that there are approximately 300 houses in Kyatthike and more than 200 houses in Lallan and Tharaphi, respectively.

According to locals, the Military Council's offensive has forced approximately 8,000 villagers from Kyatthike, Lallan, Tharaphi, Ywartharaye, Ywartanshae, Thetyatlaypin, Thaputsu, Myaychar, Theechauk, Taungcho, and Daungtha villages had to flee.