July 11th, 2022
Thousands of residents have fled their villages as the State Administration Council (SAC) has reinforced its forces for an area clearance operation in Dawei district, locals report.
The junta’s military column, which entered Dawei and Thayetchaung townships on July 4th, also detained five villagers along their route, according to locals.
“We don’t know why they were arrested. SAC soldiers destroyed shops and houses and also took food, clothes and televisions. They also took about 10 motorcycles in their vehicles,” said a resident of Thingantone village.
The military convoy, which left Dawei for the border area of Metta and Hteekhee on July 4th, arrived near Leikkyeipyaung village on the evening of July 5th and arrested two villagers, according to locals.
On the morning of July 7th, coup regime troops took three more villagers away, including 60-year-old U Han Lwin and two of his sons in their 30s.
The junta’s convoy consisted of 14 military vehicles with about 200 soldiers. Normally, the junta deploys its troops during the open season. Locals say they are concerned about health problems such as malaria and diarrhea as well as food and shelter, because the troops are being deployed in the rainy season.
On the morningof July 6th, junta troops shelled the village of Thingantone with small and heavy artillery, damaging three houses and forcing villagers to flee to safety.
The junta convoy then passed through Wakone village, spent the night in Kyaukmetaung village, and left for Metta township on July 8th, according to locals.
The entire village of Sonsinhpyar in Thayetchaung township, which is on the route of the military operation, has also been moved to safety since July 7th.
The junta troops are stationed at reserve fire brigade office and in some houses that have been vacated by the displaced villagers. Villagers also reporte that some are being forced to leave the village because troops from Arakan State will come to carry out the area clearance operation.
“They haven’t said exactly when we will have to move out of the village. But some have already started leaving the village. Families who have no other place to stay have taken shelter in nearby monasteries,” said a 50-year-old resident of Sonsinhpyar village.
Villagers say they are afraid and have not been able to return home because junta forces have captured some villagers and used them as human shields.
Sent by NMG