Junta forces loot and torch houses in Maungdaw Twsp

By Admin 14 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 May 2024, Maungdaw

Junta soldiers and Muslim conscripts have been looting and torching homes and shops in Maungdaw Townships after residents fled amid fighting between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA).

Thefts were reported from houses and shops in Thone Mile, Thazi, Lathar, Thitaw and Waithali villages.

“Over 10 shops were looted in Thone Mile Village yesterday. They took all the belongings,” said a source from Maungdaw.

Members of Police Guard Police Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw Town’s Myothugyi Ward and Muslim conscripts looted some 20 houses in Thazi Village on Sunday, said residents.

“Around 20 men looted houses after 9 p.m. [on Sunday]. They have been looting houses every day,” said a resident.

Muslim conscripts reportedly fired warning shots at residents who tried to stop them from looting.

Junta troops and Muslim conscripts torched about 50 houses in Shwe Yin Aye Village, Maungdaw Township, on May 9. They torched at least 15 houses in Waithali Village on May 7 and killed a male villager.

“They torched houses after taking all the valuables. Only a few villagers are left in the village as many have fled the fighting. So, junta soldiers and Muslim conscripts are doing as they please,” said the source.

The regime has used Muslim conscripts to commit arson attacks targeting civilian property and to fight the AA on the frontlines of the war for control of Arakan State.