Thousands flee junta raids in Mindon as villages are torched

By Admin 28 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

28 January 2026, Mindon, Magway Region

Thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes and several villages have been set ablaze as the Myanmar military regime carries out large scale offensive operations in Mindon Township of Magway Region, according to local residents and ground sources.

Since January 18, the military regime has conducted raids in the western part of Mindon Township, including Thaphanyaung, Wetkaw, Htanpingon, Pyaungywa, Theepingon and Htanlaypin villages.

“Junta troops torched three villages over the past two days. They also looted civilian property and detained several residents. There is no one left in those villages now as everyone has fled,” said a source familiar with the situation on the ground.

A junta column entered Wetkaw Village, home to around 60 households, on January 26 and burned down about 40 houses.

On January 25, the same column entered and torched Pyaungywa and Theepingon villages. The extent of the damage in those two villages remains unconfirmed due to the ongoing security situation, ground sources said.

On January 22, regime forces also raided Htanlaypin Village, which has about 100 houses, and destroyed at least 15 homes.

Thousands of displaced villagers are currently sheltering in safer areas but are in urgent need of food, medicine and emergency assistance.

“Many of those who fled are children and elderly people, and they are facing severe hardship. Some have been forced to take refuge in nearby forests and mountains,” another local resident said.

Clashes between the military regime and resistance forces continue in areas around Mindon and Thayet townships.

The military regime has intensified its offensives along the borders of Arakan State, including parts of Ayeyarwady, Magway and Bago regions, deploying large numbers of ground troops along with air and artillery support.