The junta and its ally militia group, the Pa-O National Organisation (PNO), burned Salong (South) Village in Pekon Township, southern Shan State, near Pinlaung Township.

The village, situated on the border of Pekon and Pinlaung townships, was set ablaze for the second time by the junta-PNO coalition, leaving some houses completely destroyed, according to a local source.

“Junta troops have been deployed between Salong South and North villages. Yesterday, they entered Salong South Village and set some houses on fire. It appears they were burning the village as part of a clearing operation in the surrounding area. The exact time the burning began is unknown. Today, the fighting has quieted down,” the source said.

He added that clashes between the junta-PNO coalition and Karenni resistance groups have been occurring almost daily along the Pekon-Pinlaung border.

Locals reported that on December 2, Salong South Village was also set on fire by the junta-PNO coalition.

Similarly, on October 13, junta and PNO troops entered Bawyan Village in Pekon Township and set several houses on fire.

Since the second week of September, around 6,000 residents from at least 10 villages along the Pekon-Pinlaung border have taken refuge in nearby forests and safer villages due to the junta and PNO launching military operations in the area.