The terrorist military forces raided Aung Thar village in Budalin Township, Sagaing Region, on the eve of Thingyan Water Festival, burning down houses and taking civilians as human shields, according to a representative from the Budalin Mobile Team (BMT). The incident occurred around 5:23 PM on April 13, when military forces entered the village and systematically destroyed residential buildings by setting them on fire. The destructive raid resulted in the burning of more than 10 houses, and several villagers were taken hostage by the military forces.
According to the BMT representative, the military forces suddenly entered the village and began their campaign of destruction, burning houses and taking civilians as hostages, though the exact number of those detained remains unknown. After destroying the residential buildings, the military forces retreated toward their Northwestern Command headquarters. This brutal action by the military forces has resulted in the loss of civilian property and created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among local residents. The military’s actions have left many families displaced and struggling to secure their basic needs.
The terrorist military forces have been conducting frequent raids on villages throughout the Sagaing Region, engaging in destructive activities including burning houses, looting property, and arbitrarily arresting, torturing, and killing innocent civilians. As a result, local residents have been forced to flee their homes and face significant challenges in meeting their daily needs. Human rights activists have pointed out that these brutal actions by the military forces constitute ongoing human rights violations against local civilians, emphasizing the need for international community intervention. The systematic destruction of civilian property and the use of human shields demonstrate the military’s continued disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law.
