According to the humanitarian and development coordination office (HDCO) of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), the ongoing six-month conflict in Rakhine State and the Paletwa region of Chin State has damaged a total of 5,976 houses, hospitals, religious buildings, schools, and other infrastructures.

The figures, compiled between November 13, 2023, and May 13, 2024, indicate that most of the damage was caused by the Junta's airstrikes, shelling, and arson, HDCO said.

The list of damages includes 5849 houses, 19 schools, 13 clinics and hospitals, 55 monasteries, 1 mosque, 1 church, 26 government buildings, and 11 pieces of infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

The people of Rakhine accuse the Junta of intentionally destroying civilian properties, jeopardizing local livelihoods, and are calling for the Junta to face appropriate punishment.

A Ponnagyun resident, whose shop was burned down, claimed that Junta troops had deliberately planned and prepared in advance to destroy civilian properties.

"Junta soldiers deliberately set fire to the market in town before the clashes spread to Ponnagyun. I lost my shop and almost all my business. My family's house was also damaged by the Junta's airstrikes and shelling. It has become very difficult to restore everything. I want the international community to take effective action to prevent the Junta from intentionally destroying civilian properties”, he said.

On November 24, 2023, the Junta launched artillery fire on Ponnagyun's Myoma (main) Market, resulting in the destruction of nearly 400 shops. During the town's capture by the resistance in March, Junta troops deliberately engaged in arson, shelling, and air raids, leading to the destruction of over 600 houses.

In the townships of Pauktaw and Ramree, where the conflict between the Junta and AA was particularly fierce, the extent of damage was even more severe. In Buthidaung, Junta troops and their affiliated Muslim militiamen deliberately set fire to buildings, resulting in the near-complete destruction of the entire town.

Based on DMG's independent investigation, over 6,000 houses in Buthidaung Township alone were destroyed by the Junta's arson, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments. Hence, it appears that the damage inflicted in Buthidaung has not been accounted for in the list published by HDCO.

"The Junta's deliberate destruction of civilian properties is not only in Rakhine State , in fact it is widespread across the country. In Rakhine State, townships under Junta control and those with intense ongoing clashes suffered this terrible destruction. To halt this, it is crucial to eradicate and oust the Junta once and for all”, a Rakhine-based human rights advocate told DMG.

During the six-month conflict in Rakhine State, Junta troops have burned down 9 markets in 8 townships, as reported by AA. AA has gained control of up to ten townships and continues its offensive to seize Ann, Thandwe, and Maungdaw townships.