Local military sources have confirmed that over 100 houses were destroyed after the military council forces burned down four villages in Yayphyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, following their losses in recent clashes. Fighting between revolutionary forces and military council troops lasted for 14 days from August 12 to August 25 in Yayphyu Township. During these battles, resistance forces captured two dead soldiers from the military council side, seized one MA-4 rifle and one MA-1 rifle, and took six military service personnel as prisoners, while inflicting numerous casualties on the military council forces.
After suffering losses in the battles, the military council forces entered and systematically burned down civilian homes in Myay Shwe Kone and Saw Phyar villages on August 21 and 22, destroying more than 70 houses. As the military column retreated toward Yayphyu town through forest routes on September 7, they raided Thin Kyun village and Yan Taung village, burning down over 30 houses in Yan Taung village and 8 houses in Thin Kyun village. The military council forces, comprised of soldiers from Infantry Battalions 403, 404, and 405 based in Yayphyu Township, have been indiscriminately firing heavy weapons at villages along their retreat route.
The military column is still making its way back to Yayphyu town through forest paths, taking considerable time in their retreat. Local residents remain concerned about the potential for further destruction as the troops continue their journey, as they have consistently targeted civilian infrastructure along their route. The pattern of burning villages appears to be retaliatory action following their battlefield losses, with the military council forces specifically targeting civilian populations and properties. Local military sources indicate that the troops continue to pose a significant threat to villages along their retreat path, with the possibility of more civilian properties being destroyed before they reach their destination.
