Nearly 6,000 civilian properties hit in junta attacks in Arakan, Chin states

By Admin 29 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
29 May 2024, Sittwe

At least 5,976 houses, hospitals, clinics, religious buildings, schools, roads and bridges have been damaged or destroyed in junta attacks in Arakan and neighbouring Chin states in the six months from November 13 to May 13, according to a report by the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office of the United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army (ULA/AA).

Among the civilian properties damaged or destroyed in junta attacks in Arakan and Chin states are 5,849 homes, 19 schools, 13 hospitals and clinics, 57 religious buildings (55 monasteries, one mosque and one church), 26 government buildings and 11 roads and bridges.

As the regime is purposefully burning and destroying civilian properties, residents in Arakan State say their socio-economic lives are suffering. Many want the regime to be punished for its role in their misfortune.

“I suffered losses financially as the regime intentionally torched a local bazaar in Ponnagyun ahead of the fighting,”  said a resident of Ponnagyun whose stall was reduced to ashes. “During the battle for control of Ponnagyun, my house was also destroyed due to the regime’s aerial and heavy artillery fire, and it has become difficult to rebuild my home. I want the regime to be effectively punished by the international community in order to prevent the deliberate destruction of civilian property.”

Junta artillery strikes reportedly caused a fire at Myoma Market in Ponnagyun town on November 24 that engulfed more than 400 stalls. At least 600 homes were burned to the ground due to the junta’s arson attacks, airstrikes and shellings during the battle for control of Ponnagyun in March.

Pauktaw and Ramree towns, where heavy fighting between the military and the AA took place, also suffered significant damage. In Buthidaung town, the military regime and Muslim militiamen committed arson attacks, and much of the town was destroyed by fire.

Junta arson attacks, air assaults and artillery strikes destroyed more than 6,000 homes in Buthidaung, according to a DMG report.  It appears the damage from Buthidaung town is not included in the list compiled by the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office .

“The regime is destroying civilian property not only in Arakan State but also in the entire country,” said a human rights activist in Arakan State. “Civilian property is still being destroyed in townships held by the regime in Arakan State and townships where fighting is still intense. In order to stop the regime from committing war crimes like this, it is important to root out the military dictatorship.”

The AA said in a statement on May 13 that the regime had torched nine markets in Arakan State since the latest hostilities began. The AA has seized large swaths of territory and effective control of nine townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. Fighting between the military and AA is escalating in Ann, Thandwe and Maungdaw townships.