In Tanintharyi Region, during October, at least 208 civilians were detained by the military junta during military operations, according to local news sources and FE 5 Tanintharyi. The detentions occurred amidst heightened military activity as the junta intensified its operations, targeting civilians in rural villages and towns under various pretexts.
Among those detained, 122 were from Dawei District, 66 from Myeik District, and about 20 from Kawthoung District. Reports indicate that 147 detainees have since been released, while 4 civilians were confirmed dead.
In one case, south of the town of Launglon, at least 10 civilians were detained after a military raid, with family members reportedly paying 6,000 kyat daily for their food in the detention camp. A local strike committee member from Dawei District shared that detainees were not allowed to meet with their families, who had to pay the daily fee for food at the camp.
In Palaw Township, since October 14th, prolonged battles have forced local residents to flee to the city for safety. The township administration has been interrogating and recording the names of these displaced civilians.
According to Nai Aue Mon, director of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland, the situation in Tanintharyi is one of the worst in terms of civilian detentions and human rights violations.The civilians are being arrested under false accusations, including supporting resistance groups or being associated with armed opposition, with military junta forces regularly accusing civilians without evidence.
Additionally, 23 civilians have been detained by armed groups and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), with at least 5 reportedly executed. These detentions, combined with military offensives, are adding to the growing number of civilian casualties and arrests in the region.
A report from FE5 Tanintharyi from October 16th revealed that, in September, 308 civilians had been detained. The number of detentions in October was even higher, signaling an escalating situation in the region.
Further escalation occurred in Tanintharyi, with military airstrikes, mortar shelling, and ground offensives causing the displacement of approximately 60,680 civilians in October alone, according to data from FE5 Tanintharyi. The ongoing conflict continues to severely affect local populations, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
