Thousands of people have been displaced in Depayin due to shelling and air raids

According to local sources, air attacks and shelling drove thousands of people from at least nine villages in Sagaing Region's Depayin Township to escape over the weekend.

The new attacks, which occurred on Saturday, came as Myanmar's government intensifies its use of military aircraft in Sagaing to defeat anti-regime troops.

After being brought to the area by helicopter earlier this month, roughly 100 soldiers stormed three villages in Depayin and set fire to homes.

Attack helicopters were used to conduct out attacks on Nyaung Hla on Saturday, according to a resident of the village, which is located near the Muu River about 16 kilometres southeast of Depayin.

According to him, the attack, which included artillery shelling, drove the majority of the village's 5,000 residents to escape.

"Guns and artillery could be heard."
"Some of the old who couldn't run didn't get out," the man, who used the alias Nyi Naung, claimed.

Smoke could be seen rising from the village, he added.

"According to reports, the military set fire to motorcycles parked at the monastery.
According to reports from other village residents, "that's where most people left their motorcycles."

According to other sources, at least six persons were killed in the incident, though this could not be verified at the time of publishing.

During the assault, a military unit stationed at a nearby bridge continued to shoot on the village, according to another local known only as Zero.

"They kept firing artillery at the houses and shooting up the village."
"We have no idea who is still alive in the village or who has been slain," he claimed.

Four of the five helicopters used in the attacks, according to locals, were carrying military.
According to them, these forces were dropped down near Nyaung Hla on Saturday evening, before the strikes began.

According to local reports, the villages hit were Nyaung Hla, Segyitaw, Thayetdaw, Mukatwin, Me Oe, Letyetkone, Weagyi, and Yinkyin.

Residents said they had no idea why their towns were being targeted because there had been no recent violence in the area.

"There haven't been any confrontations around here," Zero added, speculating that reinforcements were dispatched because local troops believed they were being besieged by opposition forces.

"I believe they were also terrified of landmines," he continued.