Junta torches thousands of homes in Nyaung-U Township, forcing mass displacement

Military junta forces have burned thousands of homes across more than 30 villages in Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, since early June, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee, according to a local People’s Defence Force (PDF).

“Junta soldiers are burning villages to stir resentment between civilians and the resistance. They say it’s to protect UNESCO-listed areas from stray bullets, but on the ground, over 30 villages have already been torched. The number of destroyed homes is in the thousands, and the displaced are in the tens of thousands. We urge anyone who can assist to help those affected by these arson attacks,” said a representative of the Nyaung-U Township PDF.

Local residents, now sheltering in monasteries and makeshift camps, are facing worsening conditions amid shortages of food, clothing, and shelter. The continued military presence has also prevented displaced villagers from returning to assess the damage to their homes.