A military column’s advance from Budalin town in Sagaing Region has forced thousands of civilians from more than 10 nearby villages to flee to safety, according to a representative from the Daung Raza main protest column. On August 22, a large military force emerged from Budalin town, causing local residents to evacuate their homes due to safety concerns. The military column’s movement has triggered widespread displacement among villagers who fear potential violence and persecution.
Currently, residents from over 10 villages including Hlywe Tae, Myauk Taw, Htawan, Myauk Kyi, Thapyaypin, Shan Tae, Tet Hlaing, Pe Pyit Taw Front Village, and Pe Pyit Taw Back Village have been forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer locations. The military column remains positioned near the outskirts of Budalin town, causing continued anxiety among local residents who are deeply concerned about the safety of their lives and property. The mass evacuation reflects the villagers’ well-founded fears based on previous experiences with military operations in the area.
The exodus of civilians from these villages is driven by the military’s documented history of human rights violations in Budalin Township, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings of local residents. When military columns enter villages, they typically engage in looting and destruction of civilian property, often burning homes and buildings. These patterns of military behavior have compelled local residents to preemptively flee their villages upon receiving news of approaching military columns. The displacement of thousands of civilians highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, where communities are repeatedly forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods due to the threat of military violence.
