By Kantarawaddy Times
At least 36 civilian homes were burned and destroyed in Karenni State and along the Shan–Karenni border within a month due to human rights violations committed by the military junta, according to a statement released by the Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG) on January 5.
The report states that the arson attacks were carried out by junta troops in the western part of Pekon Township, located along the Shan–Karenni border.
Regarding the destruction of civilian homes by arson, a local man from Pekon Township told Kantarawaddy Times as follows:
“Ongoing ground clashes in the border areas have made it difficult to verify the situation clearly. However, we have received a report that military junta forces set civilian homes on fire. We don’t know exactly how many homes were burned or the extent of the destruction. It’s also unclear whether the homes were burned as a result of fighting-related casualties or were deliberately targeted,” the local man said.
In the western part of Pekon Township, joint forces of the military junta and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) launched military operations into Baw Yar Village beginning on October 13, 2025. During the operation, homes were set ablaze, forcing the entire village population to flee and seek refuge due to the ongoing conflict.
In addition, KnHRG reported that throughout December, a total of 59 civilian homes were damaged or destroyed due to arson attacks, airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling carried out by the junta. The attacks also caused damage to nine vehicles, three agricultural plantations, one bridge, and the loss of three livestock animals.
