Junta Forces Arbitrarily Detain 20 Civilians and Force Them to Serve as Porters in Yebyu Township

April 12, 2025

On the morning of April 7, junta troops operating near Zardee Village Tract, Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, arbitrarily detained around 20 local men from Phar Chaung Inn village and forced them to serve as porters, according to local sources.

The military column, estimated to be about 100 soldiers, arrived in Phar Chaung Inn at approximately 7:50 AM after advancing from the direction of Zardee village. On arrival, they began detaining men they encountered in the area and forced them to carry military equipment.

“Soldiers came out from the forest and started taking villagers. About 20 men were taken to serve as porters. Most of the other villagers have already fled. People are terrified because of the heavy troop presence,” said one local man.

As the arrests began, residents from Phar Chaung Inn and nearby villages began fleeing their homes early that morning to avoid being targeted.

Locals also recalled that on March 31, more than 400 junta soldiers entered the Zardee area and arbitrarily detained several elderly residents and at least 12 women from Zardee, Khaung Pyan, and Deiktakaw villages. Those individuals were held for two days before being released.

With fears growing of further military operations, thousands of residents from Paya, Khwaemaphaw, Zardee, Khaung Pyan, Deiktakaw, and Khayin Chaung have now been displaced, leaving their homes behind in fear of renewed violence.

Although no active clashes have occurred yet, the junta has maintained a strong and regular presence in Zardee Village Tract. On March 18, they cut off electricity and communication lines in the area, followed by the large-scale military movement on March 31.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News