Hundreds flee as junta soldiers set fire to Ponnagyun Twsp village

By Admin 03 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
3 December 2023, Ponnagyun

A 100-strong military contingent entered Yeyoepyin Village, part of Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, at about 2 p.m. on Sunday and set fire to some homes, villagers said.

“Junta soldiers came from a warship in a boat and entered the village by opening fire. They [junta soldiers] torched some homes in the east part of the village. Many homes were reduced to ashes. They are now setting fire to some homes in the west part of the village,” said a resident of Yeyoepyin Village.

Locals accused junta soldiers of burning not only homes in the villages but also paddy near the farms outside the village.

Civilian casualties were reported as junta soldiers opened fire on people in the villages, without there being fighting in the area.

“Junta [soldiers] suddenly entered the village and opened fire on people on sight. Some residents remained in the village due to the junta’s arson attack. Casualties were reported in the village,” said a local resident.

Yeyoepyin Village, a riverside village with more than 100 homes, is located on the other side of Shwe Min Gan Jetty in Sittwe Township. Residents from Khamaungdaw Village, a nearby village from Yeyoepyin Village, also have fled to safer locations due to the junta’s reported arson attacks.

Junta artillery strikes caused a fire at Myoma Market in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun town on November 24 that engulfed more than 300 stalls.