Residents displaced by conflict who have begun returning to several villages in southern Thayetchaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, are in need of assistance to rebuild temporary shelters before the rainy season, according to local sources.
Local residents who returned home in late April have been staying in nearby areas while trying to repair damaged houses before the monsoon season arrives.
The Thayetchaung Township People’s Defense Force, under the Peacock Brothers column, announced on March 11 that returning displaced residents urgently needed wooden poles, bamboo, and thatch leaves to build temporary shelters.
According to the statement, more than 40 houses were damaged in Mindat village near Winwa village, more than 50 houses in Gonhnyinseik and Thae Lan villages, 15 houses in Sitaw village, and four houses in Pyinhpyuthar village.
A displaced woman who recently returned home said many houses had been completely destroyed.
“There is nothing left of the houses. Some were burned down, some caught fire after airstrikes, and many were damaged by mortar shell attacks. Our house was completely destroyed. Some houses only lost their roofs,” she said.
Heavy fighting broke out in southern Thayetchaung Township in February between military junta troops and revolutionary forces. During the clashes, airstrikes, mortar shell attacks, and arson attacks by the military junta damaged many civilian homes, monasteries, and schools.
Although fighting has recently decreased, only a small number of displaced residents have dared to return home.
A revolutionary force member in the area said many residents still feared returning because military junta troops continued daily military operations and landmines and unexploded ordnance had not yet been cleared.
“If you ask whether all displaced villagers have returned, most of them still have not returned, including people from Winwa village. Only a small number have gone back. Even though there are currently no battles, military columns are still active. There are also landmine explosions. That is why local people are afraid to return. The mines have not been cleared yet. Those who have not returned are still staying in places they consider safe,” the revolutionary force member said.
During the battle to seize the Winwa military camp, around 5,000 residents from villages along the Myeik-Dawei section of Union Highway No. 8 in Thayetchaung Township fled to forests, plantations, and other safe locations.
After the military regained control of the Winwa camp along Union Highway No. 8, military junta troops reportedly occupied civilian homes in some villages and took valuable belongings and food supplies from residents’ houses.
Local sources also said the military junta carried out daily airstrikes during the fighting and that civilians were arrested and killed during the clashes.
