Myanmar junta forces burned down multiple villages and displaced thousands in the eastern part of Min Hla Township, Bago Region, since launching an offensive on 19 June, according to the Min Hla Township People’s Defence Force (PDF).
On 25 June alone, junta troops set fire to homes in Kywe Ma Kaing village at 7:20 am, and later in Khwet Ma village at 12:10 pm. This occurred after heavy shelling the night before.
“Last night, Khwet Ma was shelled with heavy weapons, and this morning they came in and started torching the houses. Locals had already fled by yesterday evening. Only a few elderly people remained. They said they’d rather die in their homes, so we couldn’t evacuate them,” a Min Hla Township People’s Defence Force official said.
The offensive was reportedly triggered by a PDF-led attack on 16 June that targeted a junta checkpoint near Oak Twin village, killing several junta troops, including officers. Since then, a column of about 400 junta soldiers has been advancing through the eastern part of the township.
According to the PDF, the junta began burning villages on 20 June. By the afternoon of 25 June, at least nine villages had been affected: Taung Pyat, U To Kywe Lan Su, Sar Chaung, Sin Aing Chaung Pauk, Gant Gaw Pin, Bo Ta Htaung, Ngahla Sam, Khwet Ma, and Kywe Ma Kaing.
“They’re planning to burn all the villages between the Yangon–Pyay Road and Bago Yoma Mountain range,” the official said.
At least 21 local residents have been arrested by junta troops during this six-day campaign. The identities and whereabouts of those detained remain unknown.
The arson campaign has forced mass displacement across the region. Residents from over 40 villages—including Kywe Ma Kaing, Shwe Kone, Sam Boak, Kyun Kone, Sar Chaung (East), Khwet Ma, Ngahla Sam, Nga Moe Yake, Za Shae Myaung, Shwe Pauk Pin, Taung Lein, Kan Thone Sin, Thaike Kyant, Tha Yaw Kone, Ban Bwe Pin, Sar Chaung (West), and Sin Aing Chaung Pauk, have fled their homes.
Local resistance groups are calling for emergency aid, warning that thousands are now sheltering in forested areas without access to food, medicine, or proper shelter.
