Junta soldiers torch houses in Ann Twsp village

By Admin 22 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
22 October 2024, Ann

Junta soldiers set fire to homes in Lone Village, about seven miles from the military's Western Command, which is being attacked by the Arakkha Army (AA), in Ann Township, Arakan State.

Around 100 junta soldiers entered Lone Village and torched many homes on Monday morning, said a local man.

"Around 100 junta soldiers entered Lone Village, stormed the village and torched several homes. Many homes were reduced to ashes, but I don't know how many exactly," the man added.

Lone Village is home to more than 1,000 people across 200 households, and is located on the Ann-Tattaung road.

Most residents in the village have been displaced by fierce clashes between the military and AA. Family members said they have not been able to contact some people who remained in the village.

"There are reports that junta soldiers arrested some people who remained in the village and killed them. We are worried about their safety as we cannot contact them," said another local man.

The AA has launched an offensive against the military's Western Command, Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 371, 372, 373, and military camps in Ann Town. Clashes are fierce as the regime is responding to the AA attacks with aerial and artillery support.

Human rights activists say the regime, which has faced a string of major military defeats across the country in recent months, is committing war crimes by targeting civilians with airstrikes, shellings, arson attacks and other violence.

"The regime has begun to target civilians more. The international community is no longer condemning the regime strongly, but we have seen more killings and burning down of communities," said a human rights activist in Arakan State.

At least 101,463 houses have been destroyed across Myanmar in junta arson attacks since the military coup, Data for Myanmar said in a September report.