Men from villages west of Sagaing town, the capital of Sagaing Region, are fleeing to avoid frequent raids by military junta columns, according to residents.
These raids have forced the majority of men from villages including Kywei Lu, Pauk Hla, Tha Byu, Daung Ma, Sin Myay, Ma Au Pin, and Thar Dun to seek safety elsewhere.
A local who has fled explained: “The junta troops have set up camp in the villages west of Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda. They’re conducting searches, mainly targeting young men. You can still move around, but if you run into them, they take you away. It’s not exactly arrests, but sometimes they hold people for an entire day. They’re only targeting young men.”
These villages are strongholds of local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and are located just three miles from the junta’s Division 33.
Since early June, many local men have left their villages using whatever means available, seeking refuge in Sagaing town, Mandalay, and nearby areas.
One displaced resident said: “We can’t go back yet. It might take a while. I’m even thinking about switching jobs. It’s still not safe to return. The junta troops are still there.”
Currently, only elderly men and women remain in the villages, continuing their livelihoods despite the situation, the resident added.
These villages primarily rely on jade bead crafting, rice and bean farming, and vegetable cultivation.
In 2024 and early 2025, junta raids into these villages led to clashes between local PDFs and junta troops, forcing residents to flee for weeks at a time.
Sent by Shanni Voice.
