The military junta troops broke into homes and looted valuables after entering Winkan village tract, Kyaikto Township, Mon State.

Military junta forces included more than 200 soldiers from two battalions under the 101st Light Infantry Division Headquarters plus more than 150 soldiers from two battalions under the 44th Light Infantry Division Headquarters, specifically the Khamar-207th unit. These four battalions began operations in Kyaikhto Township on May 14th.

These troops entered the Winkan village tract of Kyaikto Township on May 18th and 19th. During their operation, they forcibly entered homes, looted valuables, and then withdrew.

“A large force of military junta troops invaded Kyaikto Township. They occupied the Winkan village tract on May 18th and 19th. They withdrew on the night of May 19th. After they left, we inspected the village and found that approximately 200 households—mostly large and well-built houses—had been broken into. They took all the items that could be sold. They also destroyed the donation box at Winkan Buddhist Monastery and stole over 10 million kyats that had been set aside for repairs,” said a spokesperson from the Waw Township People’s Defense Force.

According to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU) in Thaton District, beginning May 14th, military council forces attacked the Win Kan village tract with heavy artillery and aerial bombing.

Due to the artillery shelling and bombing, over 650 households with more than 2,700 residents from Winkan, Baukhta, Kyauk Yaewin, Kalo Myaung, Shan Su, and Ahnyarsu village tracts fled to safer areas.

While locals fled, military junta troops entered villages, broke into homes, looted belongings, and in some cases set fire to houses.

With the full deployment of military council forces across Kyaikto Township, there are growing concerns about escalating clashes and intensified conflict in the region.