Approximately 12,000 people have been evacuated from 13 villages along the Monywa to Pathein Highway in Sagaing Region since junta soldiers started entering the villages on 14 December.

The junta soldiers entered the villages in the middle of the night at about 2:30 a.m. on 14 December, causing locals to flee.

Amongst the villages entered by the junta soldiers were Layhtankone, Phaungkar, Gonetaw, Donetaw, Shan kine and Tayar, all of which are on the Monywa to Pathein Highway.

Ko Thet Oo, a member of the Yinmarbin-Salingyi Multi-Village Strike Committee said to Mizzima: "Until now, the military council troops have raided the villages along the Monywato Pathein Highway. There have been no clashes between local defense forces and military soldiers as of yet. The junta soldiers stormed the villages, destroying houses and stealing valuables.”

According to locals the junta army deployed about 200 soldiers in the villages of Layhtankone, Phaungkar, Gonetaw, and Donetaw.

“Because a terrorist military column entered the village people fled in cars and carts in the early morning. The column has recently entered the villages near the Yamar Bridge and And they are also firing continuously along the Pathein-Monywa highway”, said a local.