By Nway / MPA
More than 100,000 civilian homes have been destroyed by junta forces through arson over the past three years since the coup, according to a report by Data for Myanmar.
As of the end of July 2024, a total of 101,463 homes had been burned down, with 73,114 of those in Sagaing Region alone, bringing up over 72% of all homes torched by the military junta across the country, according to a report of Data for Myanmar published on September 10.
“Burning civilian homes has become routine for the military in Sagaing Region. In Tabayin, the junta is still setting fires without reason. In the first week of September, they burned several villages in Khin U Township. It’s not surprising anymore that villages in Sagaing are burned whenever the military sees them,” said an activist based in Monywa to MPA.
Data for Myanmar also stated that a total of 23,113 homes were burned in Magway Region, Sagiaing Region, Rakhine State, and Chin State Over the past three years.
In 2024 alone, over 21,000 homes were set on fire by junta forces, with between 1,000 and 5,000 homes destroyed in Kawlin, Kalay, Buthidaung, Myingyan, and Monywa townships.
The highest number of civilian homes destroyed in arson attacks occurred in December 2022, with 10,562 homes burned down, according to Data for Myanmar’s records from the military coup in 2021 until July 2024.
In regions with strong armed resistance, the military has deployed heavy artillery, airstrikes, and naval bombardments, in addition to arson during ground operations, leading to widespread destruction of civilian homes.
