Myanmar junta troops reportedly torched two villages and abducted 31 civilians in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region, on Wednesday.
Around 150 troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia allies torched Kyi Su and Kyauk Tai villages on Wednesday afternoon. The junta forces allegedly came from Aung Thar Yar Pyu village in Ye-U Township and Htan Kone village in Kantbalu and combined in Kar Boe Pyu.
Kyi Su, which had about 900 houses, has been targeted by the junta twice before.
The previous attack in 2022 destroyed over 600 houses, including a mosque.
An earlier attack on Kyauk Tai destroyed around 170 houses.
Ko Nyi of the Kyun Hla activist group, which assists displaced people in Kantbalu, said: “We do not know the damage this time. The troops also stole jewelry, gold and money.”
The troops moved to Kar Boe Pyu village on Tuesday and then to Kyi Su and Kyauk Tai villages. Before entering the villages, they dropped bombs from drones.
The villagers escaped before the raids, said Ko Nyi.
The troops reached Ai Paung Chaung village on Wednesday, looted possessions and abducted 31 people, including three women.
No clashes have been reported in the area.
The troops returned to their camp at Kar Boe Pyu village, according to an Ai Paung Chaung villager.
They said: “Maybe they will use the villagers as porters or human shields. They are all innocent.”
Junta forces have committed numerous massacres in Sagaing Region since the 2021 coup.
