Kantarawaddy Times
As battles are taking place in some quarters of Loikaw, resistance groups and locals have reported that the military junta is burning down civilian houses. Locals said that when civilians tried to put out the fires, the junta troops fired guns to intimidate them.
“They are burning down houses. When we tried to go and check, they fired. Fortunately, no one was injured. They entered the houses where no one was there and took everything they wanted,” said a local from Pankan who witnessed the incident.
Starting from the last week of June, after the military junta forces reinforced their presence in the Minelone and surrounding areas, battles happened between the resistance forces and the military due to military activities in the Minlone, Ywartanshay, Htoodunganta, Loikaw Technological University, Myakalatt Mountain, and Pankan.
Meanwhile, due to news reports that the military junta has regained control over Loikaw and re-established administrative functions, some displaced residents have returned. However, due to the renewed battle, they have fled again, according to a local from Minelone.
“It’s not that we believed the news, but we had no choice but to return because we couldn’t live in others’ towns and villages anymore. Now, the battle has resumed in the surroundings where I’m staying, and I’ve had to move to Seintalone monastery,” said a resident of Minelone.
Many of the homes of Loikaw residents who fled due to the battles have been looted. According to a local source, groups who loot the houses collaborate with junta forces and are active in the quarters where fighting is occurring.
“During the early days of the fighting in Pankan, residents weren’t allowed to return. But thieves looted freely in collaboration with the junta. Even though we all know they are doing such things, no one is able to take action,” said another Loikaw resident.
According to a statement released by the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) on August 3, over 90 homes of civilians in Minelone, Ywartanshay, and Pankan were burned down in July due to the junta’s artillery, drones, and burning. They have urged residents not to return to their homes due to the ongoing battles.
