![](https://thadinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/52.jpg)
SAGAING DIVISION – On Friday (June 2) at around 1:30 p.m., junta council soldiers fired heavy artillery shells at Sar Yay Village, compelling the civilians to flee.
The junta column, which had returned after reinforcing the junta forces at Padu Village, was detonated by a landmine approximately one mile away from Sar Yay Village. Subsequently, the junta soldiers continued to fire heavy artillery shells at Sar Yay Village.
“We ran as much as we could, and the elders were carried by carts. The youths fled on foot. The junta soldiers fired heavy artillery shells every 15 minutes. Now, we are fleeing again as the junta forces continue to fire heavy artillery shells,” said a Sar Yay villager.
Sar Yay Village is divided into an east and west side by a cemetery. With a population of over 3,000, both sides are fleeing as the shells have been dropping inside the western part. Currently, junta soldiers are raiding and firing small weapons at Sar Yay Village, and the casualties are still being investigated.
The junta council troops also set Ywa Thit Village, which is adjacent to Sar Yay Village, on fire, destroying several civilian houses. Fighter jets were also observed flying near Padu Village.
Three armored vehicles from Division – 33 headed to Padu Village as reinforcements and also abducted and inspected internally displaced persons (IDPs) along the way. Since May 19, clashes between LDFs (Local Defense Forces) and the junta forces have been occurring at Padu Village, and residents reported that the junta has suffered many casualties.