Junta torches nearly 100,000 houses since coup: research group

By Admin 24 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
24 July 2024, Sittwe

The military regime and junta-affiliated groups torched 95,450 civilian houses over the past three-plus years from February 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, Data for Myanmar reported on Wednesday. 

Sagaing Region was hit hardest as 67,598 houses were burnt there, followed by Magwe and Mandalay regions and Arakan and Chin states, where a combined 22,729 houses were torched. 

The regime carried out arson attacks at 270 locations across the country, and 70 percent were in Sagaing Region, said Data for Myanmar. 

Around 15,000 houses were torched across the country over the past six months alone, said the report.

The number of arson attacks has also increased in Arakan State, said the report.  

A woman from Buthidaung Town in Arakan State said: “We are displaced now. Our home has been reduced to ashes in the arson attack. I lost all my belongings in the fire. So, it has not only destroyed my house, but also our lives.” 

One social activist from Kyauktaw town said: “Houses were damaged or destroyed in every township that experienced fighting in Arakan State. In most cases, the junta’s [air and artillery] strikes were responsible.” 

Only a portion of those who have lost their homes in fighting between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) have received some assistance from charities.