Residents of Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, say their homes have been ransacked by military junta troops while they were displaced by fighting, leaving them with heavy losses.
Since early August, when fierce clashes broke out between a revolutionary alliance and junta forces along the Kalain Aung–Malwe Taung road, more than 5,000 people from at least 10 villages have been displaced.
A displaced resident said nearly all homes in four villages, Ma Yan Chaung, Tharyarmun, Rar Hpu, and Kywetalin, were broken into by soldiers, who looted property and transported it away in vehicles.
“They broke into our homes and ransacked them so badly there was no place left to step. They took more than 20 motorcycles. At my house, they even took the solar panels and batteries and didn’t leave any food. Almost all the houses were looted, with worse damage for those on the outskirts,” the resident said.
The value of losses varies, but residents estimate that each house lost at least 10 million kyats worth of belongings, including motorcycles, electrical appliances, clothing, and shop goods.
The looting of civilian homes violates international humanitarian law, which prohibits pillaging and requires respect for civilian property.
Another resident said that while fighting has temporarily quieted, some displaced people have returned to check on their homes, though few dare to stay overnight.
“The fighting has been quiet lately, so we came back to see our houses. We were worried they would be damaged even more if left empty. But at night, we don’t dare to sleep in them. For now, we stay at the monastery, or people gather and sleep together in groups,” he said.
According to locals, junta forces are pressuring displaced families to return and have threatened to burn down houses left unoccupied, accusing them of supporting revolutionary forces.
Military patrols continue between Tharyarmun, Rar Hpu, Kywetalin, and Lawt Thaing villages. In addition to looting and destruction along the Malwe Taung–Kalain Aung road, junta troops have repeatedly arrested villagers and forced them to serve as human shields.
During the past two months of clashes, Yebyu residents have been detained on at least five separate occasions. While some were released, others remain missing.
