Yebyu, 11 August
More than 3,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as regime troops entered Yephyu township in Tanintharyi Region, said the locals.
Since 8 August, the 200-strong junta forces have divided their forces into three columns and entered Yebyu.
Over 3,000 residents of the villages of Khamauk Chaung, Wat Chaugn, Ekani, Yange, Konyatinn and Lan Taw have been forced to flee to shelters and forests due to the invasion of regime forces.
The junta soldiers, which stormed village after village, arrested nine local residents – six from Wat Chuang village, two from Khmauk Chuang village, and one from Lei Shaung village – as human shields, the source from Yebyu told Than Lwin Times.
After the invasion, fighting erupted between Khamauk Chaung and Ekani villages, and the details of the situation are unknown, the source said.
In the last week of July, junta troops entered the Khayin Chaung and Htwet Wa villages of Yephyu Township and arrested more than 30 locals as human shields and released them five days later.
Following the coup, regime forces stormed Yebyu Township, arresting locals as human shields, looting valuable things from their homes, and shooting and killing villagers, according to locals.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-CJ