Junta Burns 12 Civilian Homes in Ekkani Village Amid Heavy Clashes

October 5, 2025

HURFOM: Heavy clashes erupted in Ekkani Village, Yebyu Township, Dawei District, inside the Dawei Special Economic Zone, leaving at least 12 civilian homes destroyed after junta troops deliberately set them on fire.

According to local residents, the fighting began on September 30 when more than 100 Junta soldiers advancing from Pugazon, Wek Chaung, and Khamauk Chaung entered Ekkani Village. Fierce battles with allied revolutionary forces continued until the afternoon of October 1, forcing villagers to flee as homes were engulfed in flames. After torching the houses, the military column retreated to their base near Infantry Battalion No. 406 close to Yebyu Town.

“On October 1, the military set fire to 12 houses in the middle of Ekkani Village. Among them were the homes of USDP party members, including a parliamentary candidate,” a local resident told HURFOM.
Among the homes destroyed was the family house of U Naing Oo, who had run as a candidate for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in the 2020 general election.

The fighting did not end there. On October 3, around midday, another column of nearly 100 junta troops clashed again with revolutionary forces near Khamauk Chaung village, about thirty minutes from Ekkani. Local sources reported the battle lasted around half an hour before troops withdrew once more to the Infantry Battalion No. 406 base.

Residents confirmed that during these battles, one resistance fighter was killed and another slightly injured, while at least ten Junta soldiers were killed. In addition, a man from Pugazon Village who had been forcibly taken by troops during their advance on September 28 was later released.

Meanwhile, the junta has continued to terrorize communities across Dawei District with air and ground assaults. At least 73 homes were burned in Kyauk Hlay Karr Village between 29–30 September as part of an arson campaign that left families with nothing. In the Dawei Special Economic Zone, heavy fighting forced thousands of civilians to flee after clashes raged for two consecutive days, adding to the displacement crisis.
“The burning of homes in Ekkani and Kyauk Hlay Karr shows clearly how the junta is using arson and terror to devastate our communities in Tanintharyi Region. Families have lost everything, shelter, safety, and any sense of stability. With the military’s attacks escalating, there is no safe place left for civilians to return to,” said a 50-year-old former political member from western Yebyu Township, Dawei District.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News