Regime accused of arson attacks on villages near Western Command

Junta troops on Thursday evening set fire to Pyaungchaung and Chingon villages in Arakan State's Ann Township, home to the military's Western Command, according to sources.

By Admin 01 Nov 2024

Damaged houses in Yeyoepyin Village, Ponnagyun Township, are pictured after being torched by junta troops in December 2023.
Damaged houses in Yeyoepyin Village, Ponnagyun Township, are pictured after being torched by junta troops in December 2023.

DMG Newsroom
1 November 2024, Ann

Junta troops on Thursday evening set fire to Pyaungchaung and Chingon villages in Arakan State's Ann Township, home to the military's Western Command, according to sources.

"Those villages are close to the Western Command headquarters," said one source. "It appears that the regime is concerned that the Arakkha Army (AA) might use them as bases to attack the command. So, they have torched those villages."

The two villages are located south of Ann Town, with a combined population of more than 2,000 people across 500 households. Most residents had already fled their homes as the fighting in Ann Township has escalated over recent weeks.

It was not immediately clear how many houses were destroyed in Thursday's arson spree.

Scores of junta troops on October 21 torched several homes in Ann Township's Lone Village, located some seven miles from the Western Command headquarters.

"The military regime is destroying public property," said one human rights activist from Arakan State. "It does not follow the rules of engagement, and continues to violate human rights."

Fighting has been raging in Ann Township for months as the AA seeks to seize control of the town, where the strategically important Western Command headquarters is based. The deputy commander of the Western Command reportedly left for neighbouring Magwe Region on Monday.