Nearly 700 houses burnt down by the junta: Residents are far from returning home

October 23, 2023

HURFOM: From January to September, 2023, the military junta burnt down more than 670 houses in Tenasserim Division and tens of thousands of residents had to flee from their homes, stated FE5 Tanintharyi, an independent research team based in Tenasserim.

The military junta are looting abandoned houses, burning down houses, arresting villagers and using them as human shields.

“We have no plan to go back home at this time. The military is still carrying out operations and they haven’t stopped burning down houses,” said a resident from Dawei Township who ran away from his village.

Within nine months in 2023, the military junta has burnt down 380 houses in Pu Law Township, nearly 180 houses in Long Lone Township, more than 30 houses in Dawei Township, 19 houses in Tha Yet Chaung Township, 25 houses in Yebyu Township and 30 houses in Tenasserim Township.

“We have no home to return to. If we go back and build a new home, we’re afraid of the same things happening again. Now there is no one in the village. Everyone had to run away and take shelter in the mountains or forest,” said the resident.

Displaced villagers are unable to return home and their numbers are increasing every day.

The military junta has also banned the transportation of rice, food and medicine in Tenasserim, making the situation even more dire for internally displaced persons.

There are between 40 to 50 armed clashes per month in the Division.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News