A representative from the Pa-O National Defense Force-Kham Kaung (PNDF-KK) has confirmed that 24 houses were destroyed by fire after the military council troops and Pa-O National Organization (PNO) people’s militia deliberately set forest fires in villages within the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in Pinlaung Township, Southern Shan State.
On March 31st afternoon, military council troops and PNO militia forces stationed near Saung Pyaung and Naung Wo villages took advantage of the hot and dry weather conditions to deliberately set forest fires targeting Pa-O villages connected to the forest areas. The fires spread to residential areas, burning down 20 houses in Thaung Mae Thin village and 4 houses in Lon Pyin village.
The affected areas had been abandoned by residents who fled military operations approximately one and a half years ago. Since July 2024, military council and PNO forces have established bases in Saung Pyaung and Naung Wo villages, from where they have been conducting daily attacks using heavy weapons and suicide drones against Thaung Mae Thin and Lon Pyin villages, despite the absence of active fighting in these areas.
The PNDF-KK has released a statement condemning the military council and its affiliated people’s militia forces for continuing to oppress civilians through deliberate acts of destruction including setting forest fires, conducting airstrikes, and launching suicide drone attacks, even as the country struggles to cope with earthquake damage. These attacks demonstrate the ongoing campaign of violence against civilian populations, occurring even during times of natural disaster affecting the entire nation.
