Monthly Overview: Targeting of Internally Displaced Persons, Including Women, Children and the Elderly, on the Rise in Southeastern Burma

March 3, 2025

Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State & Tanintharyi Region, February 2025

Over the past month, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) has observed a concerning escalation in attacks on women and children. The worsening instability throughout Burma indicates that the junta has vastly underestimated the resistance it would encounter in its illegal and unlawful attempt to seize power. As the regime struggles on the battlefield, it has deployed retaliatory strategies that isolate and impact the most vulnerable. Women, children, and the elderly are being targeted in unprovoked airstrikes and indiscriminate attacks, as the junta aims to use violence as a tool of terror.

At the beginning of the month, In Ye Township, Mon State, three women, including two internally displaced persons (IDPs), were injured when junta troops indiscriminately fired heavy artillery into Wapathae Village, Baelamu Village Tract, despite no active fighting in the area. On the night of January 24, troops from the Junta’s Artillery Regiment No. 317, based in Ye Township, launched five artillery shells into Wapathae Village. The shells exploded inside the village, injuring:

Naw Mu Tin (28 years old) – sustained injuries to her neck;
Naw Mu Chi (18 years old) – suffered injuries to her lower jaw and neck;
Naw Mu Paw (25 years old) – hit by shrapnel in her lower back.

“Five shells landed. Two of them were seriously injured and had to be taken to Lamine General Hospital for treatment. They still have shrapnel inside their bodies. The other woman is receiving medical care from a local doctor,” said a community member assisting the victims. Naw Mu Tin and Naw Mu Chi are both IDPs who had fled their homes due to previous military offensives:

Naw Mu Tin is originally from Kayin Seikgyi Township, Ywae Thar Aung Village, and has been sheltering with her family in Baelamu Village Tract. Naw Mu Chi has also fled her home in Anan Kwin Village, Kyainnseikyi Township, and is taking refuge in the area with her family. Meanwhile, Naw Mu Paw is a resident of Wapathae Village who was injured when the artillery shells exploded near her home.

The situation in Ye Township remains volatile. On January 9, after clashes erupted in the area, junta troops advanced towards Kyon Laung Village, killing two men near Ai Poke Village and detaining multiple villagers at Bokalay Monastery. Local communities remain on high alert, fearing further indiscriminate attacks and forced displacements as the junta continues its military operations in the region.

In a separate case, a 20-year-old woman was killed, and a 12-year-old child was injured when junta forces launched an indiscriminate artillery attack on Phar Kya Village, Kyarinseikyi Township, Karen State, according to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU Central).

Despite no active clashes, the attack occurred on February 1st at 2:30 PM. Troops from Junta Battalion No. 12, stationed at Myauk Kone, fired a 170mm artillery shell, which landed inside a rubber plantation, setting parts of it on fire and damaging nearby homes.

Tragically, 20-year-old migrant worker Nan Myint Myint San, suffered fatal injuries to her chest and died from the blast. 12-year-old Mann Paing Paing sustained shrapnel wounds but survived. This latest indiscriminate attack on civilians has further heightened fear among local communities as junta forces continue to target villages with artillery shelling, even in the absence of conflict. However, women remain resilient and unwavering as they transcend gender roles, advance to leadership positions, and advocate for the protection of all civilians.

The military junta’s ongoing offensive in the eastern region of the Yangon-Dawei Highway, near the Dawei-Yebyu border in the Tanintharyi Region, has forced the entire population of six villages to flee, according to local sources and resistance forces.

Since February 17, around 200 junta troops have been advancing toward Yay Wine village in Dawei Township. As part of their operation, on February 18, the troops seized and burned down a People’s Defense Force (PDF) camp near King Kone village.

The indiscriminate artillery shelling by junta forces on February 17 forced residents from three villages—Yay Wine, King Kone, and Khaung Taing Pyin—to flee. Residents from villages along the junta’s offensive route, including Pa Dain Chaung, Ye Taing, and Pa Khap Inn, fled into nearby forests and mountains for safety.

Pro-junta Telegram channels claimed that during a “clearance operation” near King Kone village, a clash broke out, and the junta seized a PDF base, along with weapons, grenades, and a mine detector. They also claimed to have captured the body of a PDF fighter.

However, locals dispute these claims, stating that the junta wrongfully accused a villager of being a PDF member and executed him. Reports on his identity and involvement are still being verified.

“We still don’t dare return to the village. We don’t know the full details yet, but we heard they shot and killed a villager,” said a local man.

Resistance sources reported that PDF fighters had already withdrawn from their base before the attack, avoiding confrontation to minimize casualties.

As of February 20, junta troops have reached King Kone village, where clashes are still ongoing. Resistance forces continue counterattacks, including drone bombings, as the junta advances. The military has stationed troops along their offensive route, maintaining a heavy presence there.

With no end in sight to the fighting, approximately 1,000 villagers from Ye Ai, Pa Dain Chaung, Khaung Taing Pyin, Pa Khap Inn, King Kone, and Yay Wine remain displaced, now spending five days in hiding without knowing when it will be safe to return home.

Since the 2021 coup attempt, the rule of law in Burma has continued to collapse, and Mon State and Tanintharyi Region are no exception. Taking advantage of this instability, junta forces and their appointed administrators have been orchestrating gambling events at pagoda festivals, music and dance shows, and traditional and spiritual gatherings—all for their financial gain.

These gambling operations occur daily in townships like Mawlamyine, Mudon, Ye, and Chaung Zone in Mon State, where junta-backed officials have deliberately integrated gambling into community festivals as a source of revenue.

“There isn’t a single day without a festival in Chaung Zone. If one village isn’t hosting an event, another village nearby is. And every single festival includes gambling in some form,” said a resident.

In northern Ye Township, Han Gam, Yin Dane, Yin Yell, Ka Byar Wa, Ka Byar Gyi, and Ma Gyi hold annual “traditional spiritual worship” events. The junta’s 31st Light Infantry Battalion, based in Kaw Zar, has been openly granting permission for gambling activities during these religious festivals. Residents in southern Ye Township report that the junta and its administrators are organizing gambling events in Lamine, Ah Sin, and Zee Phyu Taung.

“First, they set up a three-day gambling event in Yin Yell, but a Mon armed group shut it down. Soon after, junta-appointed officials allowed more gambling events, and now they’re everywhere. The junta collects daily fees, setting fixed amounts for each gambling stall,” explained a resident from Ye.

Hundreds of gambling stalls operate at each festival, and each stall must pay the junta and village administrators between 100,000 and 300,000 MMK. Similar activities have been reported in Long Lone Township, Tanintharyi Region, where gambling at “traditional spiritual worship” gatherings has been increasing since late 2024.

“It’s not just the junta—some local armed groups have also started permitting gambling. Organizers now have to negotiate with them, making it a system of give and take,” said a villager.

Previously, the Long Lone People’s Defense Force (PDF) was known for cracking down on gambling operations, but their stance appears to have shifted.

To crack down on call scam gangs and human trafficking along the Thai-Burma border, the Thai government cut off electricity to five key locations. It imposed a strict ban on gasoline transportation starting at 9 AM on February 5, 2025.

While the crackdown aims to target criminal networks, it has also severely impacted local communities, particularly in Three Pagoda Pass Town, Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State. Thousands are now struggling with water, fuel, and essential services shortages.

The power blackout has forced drinking water factories to halt operations, causing a shortage of clean water and a dramatic price spike.

Mya Pan, a local drinking water factory, has shut down, leaving residents with limited options. Before the blackout, a drinking water bottle cost 10 Thai Baht, but it has surged to 25 Thai Baht.

“We have no electricity, so we can’t operate our water pumps. Now, we have to buy water for daily use,” said a resident of Three Pagoda Pass.

After ten days without power, gasoline prices in Three Pagoda Pass have skyrocketed.

Before the blackout, one litre of gasoline cost 35 Baht. The price has jumped to 60 Baht, and supplies are running out.

“At this point, most gas stations have put up signs saying ‘No more gasoline to sell’ and have closed down,” said another local.

The Mon National Schools in Japanese Well and Kyan Taw villages, under the New Mon State Party’s control, also face serious challenges due to the blackout.

“Without electricity, students now have to fetch water from a well far from the school instead of spending time studying,” said a national school teacher.

With final exams approaching, the lack of electricity has disrupted preparations.

“We don’t even have the power to print exam papers. The children have to study by candlelight and buy candles with their own pocket money,” said a teacher from Japanese Well village.

The Mon National School in Japanese Well has 150 students, while Kyan Taw Village has 47 students.

The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), which controls Three Pagoda Pass, stated that on February 9, 2025, pledging to negotiate with the Thai government to restore electricity and gasoline. Additionally, armed groups in the area have vowed to crack down on illegal call scam operations and gambling dens, which Chinese groups largely control in Three Pagoda Pass.

The DKBA has also issued a notice ordering all Chinese nationals involved in illicit activities to leave Three Pagoda Pass by February 28, 2025. While the crackdown was meant to target criminal networks, it has left thousands of innocent residents struggling to survive without access to basic necessities.

Arbitrary Arrests
Arbitrary arrests remain an ongoing concern in targeted areas of HURFOM, especially as young men are abducted and made to serve in military training camps. A 50-year-old barber from Bilin Township, Mon State, who was arrested by junta forces more than two months ago, has reportedly died in detention, leaving his family devastated and searching for answers.

U Myint Naing, a barber from Taung Sone Village, Ba Yint Naung Ward, was arrested on November 29, 2024, when junta troops raided his barbershop and took him away without explanation. Since then, his family had no information about his whereabouts or condition. By January 31, 2025, after more than two months of detention, reports surfaced that U Myint Naing had died while under interrogation.

“There was no word about him at all. Now, we are hearing that he died in custody,” said a source close to the family.

After his arrest, his family desperately searched for him, going to the local police station, where they were told junta troops had taken him away. However, they were given no further information about his condition or location.

Before the coup, U Myint Naing was involved in charity work and dedicated his time to community service. After the coup, he became a barber. His family and residents still do not know why he was arrested or what happened to him in detention. The lack of transparency surrounding his death has raised serious concerns about the junta’s continued use of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture in detention centers across Burma.

Three women from Thar Yet Chaung Township were also arrested by junta soldiers and plainclothes police while shopping in Dawei. The incident occurred on the morning of February 4, near the well-known A Hla Thit shopping center in downtown Dawei, near the city’s central police station. The three women had been returning from a wedding ceremony when junta soldiers, accompanied by plainclothes police, arrived in a civilian vehicle and detained them.

The arrested women, identified as Ma Zin Mar Soe, Ma Mee Ei, and Ma Phyu Zin Phyo, are all between 20 and 25 years old and from Yan Taung village in Thar Yet Chaung Township.

“The arrest was carried out by plainclothes police and soldiers using a civilian vehicle,” a resident from Thar Yet Chaung said.

Their two motorcycles were also confiscated during the arrest.

Following their detention, the women were initially taken to the Dawei District Police Station before being transferred to the Dawei City Police Station. This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of arrests in the region. In January alone, junta forces arrested over 100 civilians, including children and pregnant women. Such actions continue to create fear and insecurity among the local population as residents struggle to cope with the worsening repression.

Junta forces raided a slaughterhouse in Tat Pyin Ward, Myeik, Southern Tanintharyi Region. They arrested at least eight men, later sending them for military conscription, according to sources close to the detainees. On February 2, at 8:30 PM, approximately 25 junta troops, accompanied by the ward administrator, entered the slaughterhouse under the pretense of conducting an inspection.

Around 20 male workers were checked for nearly 40 minutes before the troops accused 10 men of being involved in drug trafficking and arrested them. However, those familiar with the situation say the accusations were merely an excuse to recruit them into military service forcibly.

The arrested men were first taken to an Air Force base in Myeik for further screening. Later that night, they were transferred to the administrative office in Dawei Su Ward before being sent to the conscript recruitment and military training school in Shwe Duu village, Myeik Township. Two of the 10 detainees were later released—one was a family member of a police officer, and the other was a disabled man who was granted bail.

“They come up with different excuses to arrest men and send them off for conscription. The ward officials are leading these arrests,” said a resident of Myeik.

Since late last year, the junta has intensified security measures in Myeik, carrying out nighttime raids and arrests. Under the pretense of guest list inspections, junta troops frequently raid homes and detain people, adding to the growing fear and uncertainty among residents.

Youth are also being targeted in sweeping arrests. A 17-year-old boy was arrested by Mawrawaddy Naval Command in Kan Bauk Sub-Town, Yebyu Township, Dawei District, on February 6, and has yet to be released or heard from.

The teenager, Ko Hein, a resident of Taung Yin Inn village, Hpa Chaung village tract, was travelling by motorcycle with two friends to Gangaw village when they were stopped and interrogated by junta soldiers from Mawrawaddy Naval Command who were patrolling the area in a military truck. The two friends were allowed to leave during the inspection, but the soldiers took Ko Hein away.

“We don’t know what they found on his phone during the questioning, but ever since he was taken, there has been no news at all. His family has been desperately searching for information about him, but so far, nothing,” said a source close to the family.

As of February 12, the family still has no information on his whereabouts or detention conditions. They continue to seek answers but have not received a response from authorities. Residents say that since the military coup, many people arrested by Mawrawaddy Naval Command in the Kan Bauk area have disappeared, with no trace of where they were taken or whether they are still alive.

In 2024, the navy also arrested an older man from the area. His family did not know his whereabouts until they were suddenly contacted and ordered to retrieve his body after he had died in custody. Incidents like these have left families in a constant state of fear and uncertainty, not knowing if their loved ones are still alive or if they will ever see them again.

In addition, a father and daughter who were arrested by the junta’s Infantry Battalion 106 in northern Ye Township, Mon State, have been missing for over two months, leaving their family deeply concerned for their safety.

On December 13, 2024, at 5 PM, junta troops arrested 54-year-old Ko Soe and his wife, Mi Wu, near Mokanin village. The following day, on December 14, their 23-year-old daughter, Ma Thin Thin Soe, was also arrested at their home. About two weeks later, Mi Wu was released, but according to a close family friend, Ko Soe and Ma Thin Thin Soe remain in detention, with no direct contact allowed.

The arrests were made under accusations of supporting the People’s Defense Force (PDF), and junta troops also raided and searched their home.

“Ma Thin Thin Soe is currently detained at Infantry Battalion 588, while Ko Soe is being held at a military base in Mawlamyine. On the day of their arrests, all three family members were subjected to severe beatings, scalded with hot water, and left under the sun as a form of torture,” said a close friend of the family.

There are reports that the father and daughter are being prepared for prosecution under the Anti-Terrorism Act, but no official confirmation has been made.

According to sources, their arrests were linked to a financial dispute rather than political involvement. Ko Soe’s son had borrowed 20 million kyats from a woman close to the commander of Infantry Battalion 106 but failed to pay the daily interest. The woman then allegedly accused the family of supporting the PDF, leading to their arrest.

Despite these allegations, Ko Soe’s family has no known political ties. They are businesspeople involved in betel nut trading, plantation work, and rubber plant sales.

As of January 2025, the military junta has arrested over 50 people across Mon State. Throughout December 2024, the junta reportedly arrested 17 locals in Ye Township, 11 of whom were later released.

Airstrikes

Between June and December 2024, the Airstrikes Report for Myanmar cited 2,155 airstrikes across 12 regions and states. The attacks from the air are an ongoing threat to civilian safety and stability. In Htonmakhar Village, Tanintharyi Township, Myeik District, junta forces launched airstrikes and set fire to civilian homes during clashes with resistance forces, according to local sources.

On February 1, 2025, nearly 100 junta troops from Light Infantry Battalion No. 561, based in Nyaung Pin Kwin Village, launched an offensive toward Htonmakhar Village. In the following days, junta fighter jets bombed the area while ground troops deliberately burned civilian homes. According to a resistance fighter, junta airstrikes and arson attacks destroyed at least eight homes in Htonmakhar Village on February 3 alone.

“In just one day, eight houses were burned down. The junta didn’t just bomb the village from the air—they also used ground forces to destroy civilian homes deliberately,” he said.

Between February 1 and 4, resistance forces reported at least 10 clashes with junta troops around Htonmakhar Village as fighting intensified.

On February 3, at noon and again at 2 PM, a K-8W fighter jet carried out two bombing raids, further damaging civilian properties. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the airstrikes.

Resistance Counterattacks

On February 4, in the morning, resistance forces retaliated by targeting junta troops stationed inside Htonmakhar Village Monastery with drone bombings, triggering another round of clashes. The ongoing junta offensives in the Tanintharyi Region have led to repeated displacement, destruction of homes, and increased civilian suffering, with residents fearing further airstrikes and ground assaults in the days ahead.

Religious sites have also been targeted. A junta fighter jet dropped a 500-pound bomb on a monastery in Tagaelaung Village, Bilin Township, Thaton District, an area controlled by KNU Brigade 1, at midday on February 9. According to monastery caretakers, the attack destroyed the main monastery building and seven other structures.

The airstrike levelled multiple buildings, including:

The main monastery hall
A Dhamma hall
The monastic dining hall
A living quarters for monks
Three additional school and shelter buildings
The explosion also damaged several homes nearby, as the blast impact and debris tore through roofs and walls.

A local eyewitness described the terrifying moment:

“The bomb hit just as the monks finished their meal and rested. It was pure luck that no one was inside the monastery then. The head monk hadn’t even had time to leave his quarters when the bomb struck.”

One of the monastery caretakers expressed despair over the destruction:

“We spent so much time and effort building these structures, and now they’re gone. Rebuilding won’t be easy—it may not even be possible.”

The junta’s airstrike on a religious site follows a disturbing pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including villages and homes, schools and hospitals, monasteries and other religious sites. Human rights groups have condemned the deliberate targeting of non-military structures, calling it a clear violation of human rights and an escalation of the junta’s terror tactics against civilians.

Another airstrike took place days later on February 8, when the junta conducted aerial bombings in Nat Kyi and Ah Suu Chaung villages, located in Beilin Township, Mon State, using a Y-12 aircraft. These strikes caused significant destruction to homes and schools.

The bombings began on February 7, at approximately 2 PM, with three bombs dropped on Nat Kyi village and seven bombs on Ah Suu Chaung village. As a result of the airstrikes, two homes in the Shan Su area of Nat Kyi village and a high school in Ah Suu Chaung village sustained severe damage.

The situation has forced over 15 villages in the Mae Pa Lee, Pee Tee, and Ah Suu Chaung village tracts to flee their homes following clashes in the Mae Pa Lee area. Additionally, after receiving news that joint KNLA forces were preparing to attack junta bases in Beilin, more than 4,000 residents from villages such as Nat Kyi, Yin Ohn, Kyar Kwin, and Taung Kalay have fled to seek safety elsewhere.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the junta’s artillery and airstrikes killed at least 10 civilians nationwide within just one week. Between February 1 and February 7, the attacks claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including three women and a 16-year-old girl, whose identities have been confirmed.

HURFOM’s field network reported that junta forces carried out airstrikes on Kaw Hae village and its surrounding areas in Bilin Township, Mon State, injuring at least five civilians and causing widespread destruction.

On February 13, 2025, military aircraft dropped 500-pound bombs in two separate attacks on Tagaychaung (Upper) village, damaging a church and 17 homes. Later, on February 15, at 11:30 PM, two bombs struck Kaw Hae village, injuring five civilians and destroying nine homes along with other community-owned properties. According to local sources, two of the injured suffered severe wounds and were taken to a hospital for emergency treatment.

These airstrikes are part of an ongoing assault by the military junta, which has escalated its attacks in Thaton District. In just three days, junta air raids have killed three civilians and injured at least 15 others in the region.

Similarly, in Kyaikhto Township, junta forces carried out aerial bombardments on Pain Nae Gone and Kaw Kat villages, leading to the deaths of three civilians and injuring at least 10 more. Reports confirm that the attacks also damaged a monastery in Pain Nae Gone village and a school building in Kaw Kat village.

A local resident described the worsening situation:

“The junta justifies these airstrikes by claiming there are resistance forces in the area, but they are targeting civilian homes every day. Even religious sites and schools are not spared.”

Since late last year, Thaton District has faced relentless airstrikes despite no reported active clashes between resistance forces and the military. HURFOM’s field reports strongly condemned the attacks, highlighting the junta’s indiscriminate bombing campaigns and their devastating impact on civilians.

Days later, there was another airstrike. Residents of Naung Pin Kwin village, Tanintharyi Township, reported that a junta airstrike on February 17 set fire to more than 20 homes, including a library building, leaving the village in ruins. At around 5 PM., junta aircraft launched four consecutive airstrikes, targeting the surrounding areas. Jets and helicopters dropped nearly 20 bombs, causing widespread destruction, but no casualties have been confirmed.

Earlier that morning, intense clashes had erupted between junta troops and resistance forces near Naung Pin Kwin and Thein Khun villages. Following this, at 4:30 PM., a jet fighter carried out the first strike on the village’s eastern side. Just 30 minutes later, a helicopter launched a second wave of attacks, destroying more than 20 homes, including a school.

The relentless bombings and ongoing battles have forced nearly the entire population of Naung Pin Kwin village to flee, leaving their homes and belongings behind.

Since early February, Hton Ma Khar and Naung Pin Kwin villages have become battlegrounds, with repeated clashes between junta troops and resistance forces. The junta has also carried out airstrikes on Hton Ma Khar village on February 3 and 4, further escalating the humanitarian crisis. The junta’s continued offensives in Tanintharyi began in mid-December, as they attempted to regain control over the strategic Myeik-Tanintharyi road, triggering near-daily clashes.

Destruction of Properties

In January, nearly 40 homes and farms were destroyed across Tenasserim Division as a result of junta attacks involving arson, artillery shelling, and airstrikes. These attacks caused significant damage to property and livelihoods, leaving affected families devastated and displaced.

In Palaw Township, junta forces burned down six houses and a restaurant, while three homes were set ablaze in Tanintharyi Township. In Yebyu Township, one house was destroyed by fire, and at least eight homes were burned down in Dawei Township. Additionally, betel nut plantations and a poultry farm were deliberately torched in Tha Yat Chaung by junta troops, further harming local farmers’ livelihoods.

Airstrikes carried out by the junta also caused widespread destruction, damaging at least five homes. In Set Daw Yar village, Palaw Township, three houses were destroyed, while in Than Thike village, Tanintharyi Township, four homes were reduced to rubble. Houses in Kwan Chaung Gyi village, Dawei Township, also suffered significant damage.

The destruction spread uncontrollably, with no firefighters or residents available to stop the fires. In Palaw Township alone, over 50 acres of rubber plantations were destroyed by fire. Many villagers had fled due to the ongoing conflict, leaving no one behind to contain the flames.

Artillery shelling added to the destruction. In Yebyu Township, one house was destroyed, five homes were reduced to rubble in Tanintharyi Township, and another was destroyed in Long Lone Township.

Junta forces also deployed drones in their attacks, destroying two houses in Nyaung Pin Kone village, Tanintharyi Township. The destruction in January follows similar devastation in December 2024, when at least 200 homes across five townships in Tenasserim Division were destroyed due to junta attacks.

In Thayet Chaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, junta troops raided Oaktu village, burning down at least six homes and arresting one resident, according to reports from villagers. The military column entered Oaktu village in the early hours of February 8, with around 70 soldiers advancing on foot. Later that afternoon, they set multiple houses on fire before leaving the area.

“The houses they burned were in the center of the village. From what we’ve seen so far, at least six homes were completely destroyed,” said a local who inspected the scene.

Before retreating, the junta troops forcibly took one resident with them, though his identity and whereabouts remain unknown.

According to displaced villagers, the military targeted Oaktu for two consecutive days, setting fire to civilian homes on February 8 and 9. The column reportedly entered the village from Pan Pyin village, moving through the Mae Nae O village route before launching the attack.

A woman from Oaktu who fled the village shared:

“They burned homes for two days straight. We had no choice but to escape. Almost the entire village has fled for safety.”

This is not the first attack on Oaktu. In 2024, junta forces also launched an offensive in the area, burning down nine homes after occupying the village.

On the evening of February 9, the same military column moved towards Thayet Hna Khwa village, where they occupied the local monastery and surrounding homes. By the morning of February 10, the troops advanced along a forest path from Thayet Hna Khwa to Thayet Nyi Kway village before setting up camp at Yantoung village’s monastery, where they remain stationed. Due to ongoing military offensives, large numbers of civilians have been forced to flee, with many still in hiding.

Landmines

An elderly woman from Mitta Town, Dawei Township, lost one of her legs after stepping on a landmine while walking toward a plantation. The incident occurred on February 3, at 2:00 PM, near a bridge at the exit of Mitta Town along the Dawei-Thi Khee road. The victim, 60-year-old Naw Ju Ni Hta, unknowingly stepped on the mine, which detonated instantly, causing severe injuries. Mitta Town saw intense clashes between junta troops and resistance forces in February last year, forcing many residents to flee. Although some have returned, the area remains highly dangerous.

The junta has planted landmines around its military bases in Mitta. It has warned villagers, advising them to stay away from plantation areas due to the risk of hidden explosives.

This is not the first recent landmine incident in the area. On January 22, another explosion occurred in Wa Kone Village, Dawei Township, where a local man also lost a leg. According to villagers, the mine was planted by the forces of the Karen National Union, sparking local protests demanding its removal.

Across the Tanintharyi Region, junta forces have placed numerous landmines around their bases and checkpoints, putting civilians at constant risk and making daily activities like farming and travel life-threatening.

Forced Conscription

As part of its conscription efforts, the military junta has begun mandatory military training for university lecturers, teachers, and students at Mawlamyine University in Mon State. According to junta-controlled propaganda reports, the training program was launched on February 10 at Mawlamyine Education Degree College following the enactment of the Military Service Law. This initiative is a collaboration between universities and the junta, forcing university staff and students to undergo military training under the pretext of “national defense awareness.”

Colonel Kyaw Swar Myint, the Minister of Security and Border Affairs of Mon State, attended the event and spoke on behalf of the Chief Minister. Other attendees included state government officials, high-ranking Southeastern Regional Command military officers, university rectors, vice-rectors, lecturers, and students.

The No. 3 University Training program, operating under the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense, will oversee the training along with the Militia Group and the Border Guard Force (BGF).

For the 2024–2025 academic year, lecturers, teachers, and students from Mawlamyine University must participate in the training. However, the junta has not disclosed the exact number of enrolled students.

In the past, military training at universities was conducted voluntarily. Still, with the introduction of the Military Service Law, even those previously exempt—such as lecturers, teachers, and certain students—are now being forced to join.

“There is a huge demand for military personnel, and this is just one of the junta’s strategies to funnel university students into conscription gradually. They are implementing various methods to force young people into military service,” said a source close to the resistance movement.

The junta insists that providing basic and advanced military training to university students will enhance national defense awareness and prepare them for future national duties.

According to the junta’s statement, university conscription programs will also be conducted in Naypyidaw, Taunggyi (Shan State), Mawlamyine (Mon State), Kamayut (Yangon Region), Pathein (Ayeyarwady Region), and Taungoo (Bago Region).

Authorities have resumed recruitment efforts for Conscription Batch 10 in Mon State, targeting young people across Mawlamyine, Kyaikmayaw, Mudon, and Kyaikhto. Throughout January and February, the junta gathered recruits for Batch 10, with ward administrators discreetly collecting conscription fees in various neighbourhoods in Mawlamyine from February 10 to 13. Recruitment notices were personally delivered, and administrators facilitated the conscription process.

“They came to houses. One or two ward administrators quietly took people away. In our neighbourhood, two people were taken,” said a Mawlamyine resident.

For Batch 10, township recruitment committees ordered each ward administrator to provide at least one new trainee per ward. Affected wards include Myain Tharyar, Kywe Chan Kone, Zay Kyo, Taung Wine, Maung Ngan, and Kwin Yat in Mawlamyine.

On the morning of February 14, Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein, accompanied by other officials, visited the Southeast Regional Military Command’s No. 6 Local Training School in Mawlamyine to meet with newly recruited trainees from Conscription Batch 10 (2/2025).

For the upcoming Batch 10, every ward is required to send at least one person for military training. If a household fails to provide a recruit, they must pay a replacement fee of 10,000 to 30,000 kyats, according to a woman from Hpa-An.

In 2024, migrant workers in Mawlamyine were forcibly recruited and then sent to basic military training schools in Thaton and Thanbyuzayat townships after being extorted for conscription fees.

The junta has also intensified inspections and mass arrests of young men under the pretext of enforcing the conscription law. Since the conscription law was enacted, arrests have surged across Mawlamyine, with frequent detentions targeting young men. Detainees are often forced to pay up to 1 million kyats for release, while others are immediately taken into the army.

Additionally, in Mon State, not only have large numbers of young men been arrested, but underage youths have also disappeared without a trace. During Batch 9 recruitment, residents in Mawlamyine and surrounding villages were required to pay at least 5,000 to 10,000 kyats per household for conscription exemptions.

On the morning of January 17, Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein, along with other officials, visited the No. 9/2024 Military Training Batch in Mon State, where they met with 79 conscripts and awarded them financial incentives, according to the junta’s report. The escalating forced conscription and financial extortion in Mon State are creating widespread fear and insecurity, with many young people desperately seeking ways to avoid recruitment.

Between February 6 and 10, junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia members—disguised in civilian clothing and armed—conducted phone checks on young men traveling between Taung Soon and Thaung Gyi villages. Using the excuse that they were riding motorcycles with two passengers, the militia arrested several individuals and later transferred them to military battalions in Bilin Township.

“This year, young people have been targeted for arrest after phone checks. On the roads, they use the excuse of two men riding together on a motorcycle to detain them,” said a local resident.

The abducted young men, aged between 17 and 30, are from Thin Taw Gyi, Thaung Gyi, and Winka villages. The arrests were led by local administrators Kyin Naing from Taung Soon village and Aung Naing from Yone Dalin Kone village.

Since the junta enacted the conscription law, more than 2,000 people have already been forcibly recruited for military service in Mon State as part of Batch 10. Forced recruitment and abductions for military service have increased dramatically across the region since January 2025, with at least 60 people arrested for various reasons and over 15 individuals forcibly conscripted. The situation remains tense as young men across Mon State continue to face the risk of abduction and forced military service.

In yet another case of similar actions, on the night of February 17, 2025, the military junta arrested 17 young men in Tanintharyi Town, Myeik District, and forcibly sent them to military training. Junta forces, along with ward administrators, conducted so-called “visitor list checks” in Chaung Gyi and Chaung Ngae wards but instead used the operation as a cover to arrest young men.

“All of those arrested are locals from Tanintharyi. Some were accused of drug-related offenses, but most of them were completely innocent. The junta is recklessly detaining people,” said a resident of Chaung Ngae ward.

According to sources close to the victim’s families, the 17 young men are now being held at the 557th Light Infantry Battalion near the Tanintharyi Bridge in Out King village. They are being forced to join the junta’s military training for conscripts.

“When families inquired about their whereabouts, they were told the men had to join the army. If they were truly accused of drug crimes, they should have been transferred to the police station and faced legal charges. Instead, they have been handed over to the military,” said a source.

Residents told HURFOM that this is the first mass arrest of young men in Tanintharyi Town since the junta officially implemented the public conscription law. The sudden arrests have heightened fear and insecurity in the community, with families worried that more young men will be taken against their will.

Mon State

Junta troops have been conducting house-to-house searches in villages within Wae Win Kara and Sakhan Gyi village tracts, located in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State. These searches come after five more soldiers deserted their posts, causing heightened tension and fear among residents, according to reports from the area.

On February 3, five soldiers from the Wae Kali Battalion, temporarily stationed at the entrances to Mashi Khana Taung Kon and Sakhan Gyi villages, fled at midday. In response, around 300 junta troops raided homes in Wae Katar and Sakhan Gyi villages, tightening security and conducting thorough searches over three consecutive days.

“The military officers told villagers that five soldiers had run away. They searched inside homes but did not physically harm or arrest anyone. However, the sheer number of soldiers in the village was overwhelming,” said a local woman who witnessed the operation.

This is not the first time such incidents have occurred. On January 20, after three soldiers from the same battalion deserted, approximately 300 junta troops carried out intensive searches across villages within the Wae Win Kara village tract, including Phae Pha Dow, Wae Katar, and towns in the Wae Kalaung and Wae Patote tracts. For three days, they restricted movements and conducted raids, leaving residents anxious and uneasy.

Another similar incident was reported on January 27, when four soldiers stationed in Sakhan Gyi village purchased snacks from a local store before fleeing.

These ongoing desertions are taking place against the backdrop of increased clashes between resistance forces and junta troops in the area. On January 20, at 4 PM, a violent clash over an hour erupted along a forest road between Phae Pha Dow and Kone Myint Thar villages. The confrontation led junta artillery units from Wae Kali to fire heavy weapons, forcing nearly 300 villagers to flee their homes for safety. Residents reported being displaced for about six hours during the artillery attack.

The situation in Mon villages has been deteriorating steadily. In August last year, junta troops frequently launched artillery shells into villages near the Anan Kwin strategic hill, displacing many families and adding to the growing number of internally displaced persons in the region.

The repeated soldier desertions and subsequent military crackdowns have only deepened the fear and anxiety among local communities, leaving them uncertain about their safety and security in an already volatile environment.

According to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU) Central, three villages in Kyaikhto and Bilin Townships, Mon State, were bombed by junta forces on February 13, despite no ongoing clashes. The airstrikes resulted in three deaths and ten injuries. On the same day, three 500-pound bombs were dropped on Pain Nae Kone and Kaw Kat villages in Kyaikhto Township and Ta Gay Laung Chaung Phyar village in Bilin Township.

The bombings destroyed more than 20 houses and severely damaged religious structures, including pagodas, monasteries, and Christian churches. The KNU condemned the attack, stating that the junta deliberately targeted civilian areas.

All three villages bombed are located within KNU Brigade 1’s administrative area in Thaton District. According to sources close to the resistance forces and local residents, among those killed and injured in Pain Nae Kone village, two of the deceased and five of the wounded were resistance fighters.

Since the beginning of 2025, the military junta has been consistently launching airstrikes in KNU-controlled areas of Thaton District. The latest attack has forced more than 200 residents of Pain Nae Kone village to flee their homes in search of safety. This marks the first time the junta has carried out airstrikes in Kyaikhto Township, signalling an alarming escalation in its military aggression against civilian populations.

Indiscriminate firing also continues to threaten civilian livelihoods. A local man was shot and killed during a raid conducted by junta troops in Malawt Chaung village, Kyaik Hto Township, Mon State. On the evening of February 12, at 5:00 PM, junta troops stormed the home of 50-year-old U Kyaw Aung, a resident of Malawt Chaung village, and attempted to arrest him. When he tried to flee, the troops opened fire, hitting him with three gunshot wounds, which led to his death.

U Kyaw Aung was a landowner, and his arrest was reportedly linked to a land dispute. After killing him, the junta troops took his body and refused to return it to his family. This incident has instilled fear and uncertainty among residents as arbitrary arrests and killings by the junta continue to escalate in Mon State.

Karen State

Residents say the Township Conscript Recruitment Committee in Hpa-an has instructed each ward to provide at least one person for military conscription.

Ward administrators have been directed to ensure that at least one recruit per ward is secured for the 10th batch of conscription training. If no one from the ward is available or willing to join, households must pay a fee ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 kyats in exchange for a substitute.

“They’ve been collecting money this way before. Poor families pay 5,000 kyats, while wealthier households are charged anywhere from 30,000 kyats to hundreds of thousands,” a resident explained.

Similar practices were reported during the 9th batch of conscription, where recruits were forcibly taken from specific wards and villages in Hpa-an. Those unable to provide a trainee had to pay at least 5,000 kyats, with some families paying up to 10,000 kyats to avoid conscription.

In 2024 alone, more than 300 young people from Karen State were forcibly recruited and sent to junta-run basic military training schools in Thaton and Thanbyuzayat townships in Mon State, according to sources close to the military. Residents remain deeply concerned about these forced conscriptions and the financial burden imposed on families who cannot afford to pay their way out.

Heavy clashes and indiscriminate artillery attacks and airstrikes by the junta have forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes in Kama Maung, Karen State. Reports from HURFOM’s field network confirm that ongoing shelling and air raids have left villages in ruins, with entire communities seeking refuge in safer areas.

Since February 14, artillery units from the junta’s Artillery Regiment Command in Hpa-An Karen State, have been relentlessly firing heavy weapons across the Thanlwin River, targeting KNU Brigade 1-controlled areas, including Yut Gyi village tract and surrounding villages near Kama Maung. Meanwhile, junta troops stationed in Kama Maung itself have also been shelling nearby villages with artillery, including long-range missiles.

Adding to the devastation, junta aircraft carried out airstrikes on Hpar Baw village and Mi Zaing Mountain, causing significant destruction. In Hpar Baw, multiple homes were damaged or destroyed, and local villagers were left with no choice but to flee for safety.

As a result of these relentless attacks, residents from Hpar Baung and Kat Kyaw villages, as well as many from Kama Maung town, have crossed the Thanlwin River seeking refuge in Myaing Gyi Ngu Special Zone. Others have fled as far as Hpa-An in search of safety.

Displaced villagers now face severe food shortages as access to supplies has been completely cut off. Those sheltering in Hpar Baw and surrounding areas report struggling to find enough food, with little humanitarian aid reaching them.

Resistance troops have reportedly advanced towards Kama Maung, with growing speculation that they are preparing to launch an attack on the junta’s strategic military base in the town. In response, junta forces have intensified their air and artillery strikes, bombarding the surrounding areas.

Local sources indicate that KNLA Brigade 5 troops are moving closer to engaging junta positions in Kama Maung. Reports suggest that residents in nearby villages have been warned to evacuate within the next three days as the fighting is expected to escalate. As the situation deteriorates, displaced communities are in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical aid, while those remaining in the conflict zone face grave risks from continued military attacks.

Taninthariy Region
More than 1,000 residents from four villages in Yebyu Township, Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region, have been forced to flee as junta troops launched a new military offensive into the Dawei Special Economic Zone and Deep-Sea Port area.

On January 21, a large junta of troops entered the Dawei Special Economic Zone, advancing toward Na Bu Lae in Yebyu Township. As fear spread among residents, entire villages—including Na Bu Lae, Mu Du, Na Bu Tan, and Tha Kyat Ni—fled into nearby forests and hills to escape potential attacks.

Growing Fear After Previous Junta Atrocities

In 2024, junta troops arrested and killed villagers found along their routes, burned down homes, and terrorized communities during previous offensives. With memories of those attacks still fresh, locals fled at the first sign of military movement, fearing arbitrary killings, looting, and destruction.

On January 24, at around 2 PM, a junta unit of 90 troops attacked a resistance camp near Mu Du village, resulting in the deaths of three resistance fighters. During the assault, the soldiers abducted a 14-year-old child but later released women and children. As of January 31, some Mu Du residents have yet to return home and remain in hiding in safe areas.

Looting and Destruction

During their advance, junta troops set fire to a vehicle and seized weapons, ammunition, 12 million kyats in cash, a gold coin, and five mobile phones, according to a resistance fighter. On January 25, in the morning, the troops left Mu Du village and moved eastward.

Junta and Russia’s Deep-Sea Port Agreement

While military operations continue to displace thousands, the junta has been negotiating with Russia to advance the Dawei Deep-Sea Port project. Following discussions in mid-2023, plans to restart the project in early 2024 were announced.

Since 2022, the Dawei Special Economic Zone has frequently been targeted by junta offensives, resulting in the ongoing displacement of local communities. Likewise, on November 7, 2024, another military offensive in the region compelled thousands more to flee. With the junta’s military aggression and economic ambitions intertwining, residents remain trapped between violence and forced displacement, unsure when—or if—they will ever be able to return home safely.

Junta forces have been conducting extensive security operations across Yebyu Township and Dawei District villages, including house-to-house searches and patrols, instilling fear among residents. During these operations, the military arrested fishermen and confiscated three fishing boats in Zar Dee village.

Residents reported that in February’s first and second weeks, numerous junta troops were deployed for so-called “clearing and security operations” in several village tracts along the Ye-Dawei highway and areas surrounding Kan Bauk Sub-town and Zar Dee village.

On February 10, approximately 200 junta soldiers initiated a search operation in the forests west of Paya village, along the old road connecting Kan Bauk Sub-town and Zar Dee village. Residents of Zar Dee informed us that the soldiers entered the town from the river, confiscated fishing boats, and escalated their patrols.

According to a local resident:

“About 200 junta troops arrived in Zar Dee via the river route. After they arrived, they started seizing boats. The presence of so many soldiers is making people nervous.”

On the afternoon of February 10, a naval vessel stationed near the coast of Yebyu Township intercepted and seized three fishing boats near Zar Dee Creek. Junta troops also detained 20 fishermen who were aboard the ships.

“At least 20 fishermen were arrested on their boats. The junta claims they are conducting ‘security clearance operations,’ but people are terrified of what will happen next,” said a Zar Dee village resident. On February 11, local sources reported that junta soldiers from Paya village were still stationed in the forests near Zar Dee, taking up hidden positions in the surrounding area.

The junta’s increased presence in the region has led to more arbitrary arrests:

On February 6, a 17-year-old boy from Taung Yin Inn village was arrested at a checkpoint near the Taung Yin Inn junction and has not been released after five days in detention. The junta’s Mawrawaddy Navy unit took him in the evening while travelling in the Hpa Chaung village tract, Kan Bauk Township.

According to a local witness:

“He had just refuelled his motorcycle at a petrol station near Gangaw Taung village when junta soldiers patrolling the area stopped him. After questioning, they took him away.”

Reports also indicate that as of February 11, junta forces are still present in multiple villages along the Ye-Dawei highway, including Zar Dee, Hnan Kyae, 21-Mile, Kyauk Lone Gyi, and Oakthapyar villages. Resistance fighters in the area confirmed that the junta had been continuously moving troops along the route from Thetkae Kwet village to Kyauk Shat village.

Unclear Motives Behind the Increased Military Activity

Despite the significant presence of junta forces, local resistance groups have not conducted any military operations in the Zar Dee area. According to local sources, the reasons behind the junta’s extensive troop movements and search operations remain unclear. With the increased number of soldiers in the area, villagers are fearful of further arrests, displacement, and potential attacks, which makes it increasingly challenging for them to maintain their daily lives.

In Kya Khatta Pin Inn village, Yebyu Township, Dawei District, the military junta fired artillery shells into the area, even though there were no active clashes. The attack resulted in the tragic death of 52-year-old Daw Khin Win.

On the evening of February 20, an artillery shell landed near the village football field, and a fragment from the explosion struck a nearby house, severely injuring Daw Khin Win. The shelling originated from the Kyauk Ka Nyar-based Artillery Battalion (304), which fired three rounds into the village. One of the shells directly hit Daw Khin Win, causing severe head and leg injuries.

“She was thrown about 10 feet by the explosion. The lower half of her body was completely shattered. She passed away on the way to the hospital,” said a local resident.

Daw Khin Win succumbed to her injuries before reaching Dawei General Hospital. Her funeral was held on the morning of February 21.

Of the three shells fired, two exploded near the village, while one landed inside the football field close to the village school.

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Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Monthly Report, News