SAGAING, Myanmar - According to local sources, the army raided and set fire to at least seven villages along the Chindwin River in Sagaing Region's Kani Township, destroying 200 homes.

The rampage, which started on Wednesday, lasted two days. Yae Butalin and Chaung Wa Gyi on the river's eastern bank were initially targeted, as were Sin San, Thayet Taw, and Kin Taung on the river's western bank.

On Thursday, homes near Ngar Phyet and Mu Htaw villages, both on the east bank of the Chindwin, were set on fire.

"Two military columns launched assaults simultaneously," a Kani Township anti-junta People's Defence Force (PDF) member told the press.

According to the source, residents of the seven targeted villages and villagers from ten other communities in the area had fled their homes.