A recent clash between Myanmar junta troops and a People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Palay in Tanintharyi Region led to the arrest of about 10 villagers and the burning of villages.

At 5 am on 30 December, a fierce battle erupted between local resistance forces and Military Council soldiers in To village, Palaw township in the Tanintharyi Region.

After both sides exchanged fire, at around 10 am, Military Council soldiers arrested approximately 10 local residents and burned down two villages.

Locals reported that the junta soldiers torched To village, starting at 10 am, and then burnt nearby Tanshin village.

"As a result of the junta's arson, villagers from To and Tanshin villages have fled. People are afraid to return, the hostages still held by the junta,” a Tanshin villager said.

"The battle is still going on, and the Military Council's soldiers have taken innocent villagers as hostage," a To villager said.

According to residents, the Military Council troops are firing heavy weapons continuously as of the reporting time in the afternoon of 30 December and residents are fleeing for safety.

As of 30 December, casualty numbers have not been released due to ongoing military tension and firing from both sides. Trucks and passenger vehicles were unable to pass through due to the fighting and were forced to stop in Palaw Township, according to the Palaw-KPDF.

According to the initial report from Palaw-KPDF, the junta set fire to 21 houses in To village and over 10 houses in Tanshin village respectively.