Weekly Analysis: Military Junta Arrests Displaced Villagers During Reinforcement Operations

June 9, 2025

The human rights situation in Southeastern Burma continues to deteriorate, with arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and indiscriminate attacks by the military junta steadily on the rise. In targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi region, the escalating levels of violence being perpetrated by the Burmese military continue to undermine civilian rights and freedoms, including basic protections.

As fighting intensifies in Long Lone Township, Dawei District, local sources have confirmed that junta troops reinforcing the area have arrested at least 15 displaced villagers they encountered on the road. On May 30, while travelling through remote routes from Dawei toward Long Lone for reinforcement, junta troops apprehended several internally displaced persons (IDPs). Among those detained were four villagers from Tha Byar, who had been sheltering in the area, and eleven residents from Long Lone Town, according to sources close to the families.

“Most of those arrested were IDPs returning from forest shelters during the fighting. They were captured along the way,” a Long Lone resident told HURFOM.

The troops arrived in Tha Byar on May 31 and detained four additional individuals. The others were arrested en route, including women and individuals aged from 20 to over 50. In their haste, the soldiers left behind motorcycles and rations along the roadside. On the morning of June 1, the column was observed advancing toward Lat Khat Taung, a mountainous region situated between Long Lone Town and San Hlan village.

Since May 30, heavy clashes have persisted between resistance forces and junta troops in the vicinity of Long Lone and Lat Khat Taung. The junta is using artillery to shell Long Lone Town and nearby villages indiscriminately, forcing thousands of civilians to flee despite the ongoing heavy rain. Many have had to leave their homes and belongings behind, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis in the area.

The flurry of unlawful arrests continued during the first week. More than 13 local residents from Yebyu Township in Dawei District remain in junta custody following their abduction on May 28, and they have yet to be released as of May 30, according to local sources.

The junta troops, who were advancing toward the Dawei Special Economic Zone from Yebyu town, reportedly detained at least six people from Ya Line village, four from Kha Maung Chaung, and three from Pa Kaw Zun. Those taken include both men and women.

“They were simply cutting grass in the forest when they encountered the soldiers and were taken away. The troops arrested everyone they saw—young people, older adults, even couples,” said a resident familiar with the situation.

The abducting military column is currently stationed near Aye Kan Ni village. On the morning of May 29, a clash broke out between junta troops and local resistance forces. According to a source close to the resistance, the detained civilians are still being held and are being moved along with the military unit.

As of midday on May 30, the troops were seen retreating from the forested area near Aye Kan Ni village, but there has been no update on the condition or whereabouts of the abducted residents.

Overview of Main Cases

– At Least Three, Including a Child, Killed by Junta Shelling in Long Lone; Homes Damaged

At least three people—among them a five-year-old child—were killed following artillery shelling by junta forces in Long Lone Township, Dawei District, according to local sources. Several homes were also damaged in the attacks. On May 30, junta troops deliberately fired artillery shells into residential areas of Long Lone town. One of the shells struck a home on Pyi Taw Thar Street, killing a father and his young daughter.

– Four Arrested in Kan Bauk, Including CDM Health Worker and Family Members

On the night of May 31st, 2025, four individuals were arrested by junta forces in Kan Bauk Sub-town, Yebyu Township, Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region. Among those detained were a Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) health worker and three members of a non-CDM health worker’s family, according to local sources.

– Respected Abbot Killed by Junta Artillery Shelling in Saw Wa Village

Venerable Bhaddanta Indobhasa, the abbot of Thit Seik Pin Monastery in Saw Wa village under the Shin Mot Htee village tract, Dawei, tragically lost his life after being struck by artillery fire launched by junta forces, according to local residents and eyewitnesses. The incident happened on the afternoon of June 1, following a clash between resistance forces and junta troops near the Shwe Gu Bridge checkpoint along the Myeik–Dawei road.

– A Local Man Arrested and Brutally Killed by Junta Troops in Thaton, Mon State

A local resident was tragically arrested and later found dead after being taken by junta troops who had recently reinforced their presence at the Win Tar Pan military base in Thaton Township, Mon State.

According to local sources, on May 30, over 100 junta soldiers arrived at the Win Tar Pan base in Win Tar Pan village. While moving through the area, they detained a 50-year-old man named Saw Lar Hto, who was encountered along the road.

On June 3, villagers discovered his body between Pa Yit Kho and Inn villages, abandoned by the roadside near the forest. “His face and body were covered in bruises and serious injuries. It was clear he had been tortured. Everyone in our village knew the soldiers had taken him,” said a resident from Pain Nal Taw.