A representative from the Salin Township People’s Administration Group has confirmed that 17 houses were destroyed when the military council forces deliberately set fire to Taungbo village in Magway Region’s Salin Township. The incident occurred around 4 PM on April 6, 2024, when military forces entered the village and simultaneously set fires at four different locations within the community.
While villagers had managed to evacuate before the military’s arrival, they were unable to save their homes and belongings from destruction. The total damage included 17 residential buildings and 4 agricultural structures, including rice storage facilities and cattle sheds, bringing the total number of destroyed structures to 21. The systematic burning of the village by military forces has resulted in complete destruction of these properties.
During the arson attack, local People’s Defense Force (PDF) units engaged the military forces in combat, forcing the military council troops to retreat from the area. The military’s deliberate destruction has not only resulted in the loss of homes but also crucial agricultural infrastructure, including rice storage facilities and livestock shelters, severely impacting the villagers’ livelihoods. Local residents, now displaced from their homes, are facing significant challenges in meeting their basic needs, including food and shelter, according to local sources. The incident represents another example of the military council’s ongoing campaign of destruction against civilian populations in Myanmar.
