Junta torches over 21,000 houses in 2024: research group

By Admin 10 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 September 2024, Sittwe

More than 21,000 houses were destroyed across Myanmar in junta arson attacks so far this year, Data for Myanmar said in a report on Tuesday.

“Among the townships that suffered damage to between 1,000 and 5,000 homes [each] are Kawlin, Kalay, Buthidaung, Myingyan, and Monywa,” according to the report.

There were 326 junta arson attacks across Myanmar and thousands of homes were burned to the ground in Buthidaung, Arakan State, in April and May amid fierce clashes between the military and Arakkha Army (AA), Data for Myanmar said.

Fighting between the military and anti-regime forces has continued to intensify this year, and in areas where the armed resistance is strong, junta troops and subordinate groups are burning down civilian homes, the report said.

“Junta troops continue to burn down towns where battles for control of towns are being carried out by the anti-regime forces and villages that support the revolutionary forces,” said Data for Myanmar.

The regime destroyed 1,178 homes in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magwe, Bago and Tanintharyi regions, and Kayah (Karenni), Arakan and Shan states, in July of this year alone, the report said.

People’s physical security, economic circumstances and social affairs have all been greatly affected by the widespread destruction, with many residents whose houses were destroyed still unable to return to home until now.

“My house was destroyed by fire in the middle of the battle,” said a local man in Pauktaw Township. “I want to live in my own home. I don’t want to continue as an internally displaced person (IDP).”

Thousands of homes were burned down this year due to regime airstrikes and heavy weapons attacks in Pauktaw, where fierce fighting broke out, and residents are still unwilling or unable to return to their homes due to security reasons.

“The families whose houses were burnt down by the fighting are still unable to return to their homes due to security, and their livelihoods are also very difficult. Local civil society organisations and international organisations also need to provide more assistance to those who have lost their homes due to the fighting,” said a woman from a civil society organisation in Arakan State.

The military regime and junta-affiliated groups torched 101,463 civilian houses over the past three-plus years since it seized power, from February 1, 2021, to September 10, 2024, according to figures compiled by Data for Myanmar.

Civilian casualties and damages to civilian properties continue to rise due to the regime’s artillery attacks and airstrikes on residential areas and other civilian infrastructure.