A rampaging Military Council column, that recently traversed Tabayin Township in Sagaing Region, deliberately set fire to 10 villages over a span of 4 days, compelling thousands of residents to flee.
According to locals, that 80-strong military column had been active in Tabayin Township since December 16th. On that day, houses and two deserted gas stations were destroyed as a result of arson attacks by these troops in Mokesi, Nyaunghla, Musone, Pyawbwe, and Masoeyein villages.
On December 17th, the column infiltrated Pinsi and Aungchanthar villages, carrying out additional arson attacks. Cash, goldwares and jewelry owned by villagers were also looted. On December 18th, the soldiers proceeded to set Khwinttaung and Bagan villages ablaze, and on December 19th, Latti village also fell victim to the flames.
"They intentionally caused devastation. After setting the villages ablaze, they purposefully delayed their departure, hindering the villagers from promptly extinguishing the fires. Typicallythe soldiers lingered for a while, firing warning shots, and only left once the fires had gained momentum. Subsequently the villagers were left to return to the scorched village, salvaging whatever they could”, a Nyaunghla villager told Mizzima.
An aid worker helping the displaced individuals said,” "The Military Council roams the villages, committing arson almost every day, forcing thousands of residents to flee. According to the current tally, around 3,000 are on the run, and there may be others who have not yet been counted.”
"The soldiers also raided our house, stealing the small gold items we had purchased with the proceeds from selling rice. Now we have nothing left”, an Aungchanthar villager said.
War-displaced people are currently grappling with accommodation hurdles, and there is a significant demand for clothing and blankets, particularly for children and the elderly.
In Tabayinit is reported that since the coup, over 6000 houses have been set ablaze in Tabayin. These figures exclude homes that have been recently burned down.
Following the burning of Latti village on December 19th, the military column is presently located in Yindway village tract. Residents of nearby Nyeinchan new village, Methei, Wapar, Hmanthar, and Intan villages have already evacuated.
A Tabayin Township People's Administrative Team official stated that the villages recently traversed and burned by the Military Council column are not hideouts of the People's Defense Force (PDF).
Residents reported that, despite PDFs planting landmines targeting the military column, there were no confrontational shootouts between the two sides yet.
