Khin-U Attacks
Timeline
Khin-U Township is located in Myanmar's ethnically-Bamar Dry Zone. Following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état the local population overwhelmingly supported the deposed National League for Democracy, first taking up arms against the State Administration Council junta in March 2021. The Tatmadaw was characterised by allegations of collective punishment and disproportionate force by locals.
According to monitoring organisation Myanmar Witness, the earliest known claim of an attack in Khin-U Township dates to 29 January 2022, when the Kachin News Group posted an image alleged to be fires near the village of Yauk Thwar Aing on Facebook. Several arson attacks continued to be reported throughout the year and into the next. Radio Free Asia has also quoted residents of the township as stating that heavy artillery has been used on civilian buildings. As a result of attacks by the Tatmadaw, 6,000 individuals had fled their homes out of fear of reprisals, while an additional 30,000 had been displaced after the destruction of their homes during attacks.
The involvement of the pro-junta Pyusawhti militias in attacks in the township has also been alleged by locals. According to interviews, members of Pyusawhti militias have participated in the theft of property and food, with the intention of seizing anything that could help the People's Defence Force.
Local affiliates of the People's Defence Force has made efforts to respond, but operations have been severely hampered by the Tatmadaw's response. In June 2023, PDF soldiers ambushed the Tatmadaw near the town of Khin-U, claiming to kill seven and wound 13 in the ensuing battle before retreating. A drone operator from the PDF was also killed during the battle. Following the battle, the Tatmadaw attacked the village of Ye Aye Kone, destroying three homes and stealing food.
List of fires
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2024) |
Name | Pop. | Date | More information |
---|---|---|---|
Yauk Thwar Aing | 1,755 | 29 January 2022 | Reported by Kachin News Group. Unconfirmed |
Hman Taw | 2,709 | 5 March 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed |
Ta Moke | Unknown | 15 March 2022 | First posted on Reddit, later confirmed via geolocation |
Ku Lar Lu | Unknown | 16 March 2022 | First posted on Twitter, later confirmed via geolocation |
Shar Lwin | 2,968 | 16 March 2022 | First posted on Telegram, later confirmed via satellite data |
Ku Lar Lu | Unknown | 30 March 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data |
Ngar Inn Gyi | 1,237 | 3 April 2022 | Reported by Khin-U Revolution News, later confirmed via satellite data |
Ywar Thar | 2,008 | 23 April 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data |
Than Bo | 1,742 | 26 April 2022 | First posted on Facebook, later confirmed via satellite data |
Inn Pat | 5,587 | 2 May 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed |
Thar Wut Hti | 2,449 | 18 July 2022 | Unconfirmed |
Mon Hla | 2,274 | 18 July 2022 | Unconfirmed |
Shar Taw | Unknown | 18 July 2022 | First posted on Facebook. Unconfirmed |
Shar Taw | Unknown | 18 July 2022 | First posted on Facebook. Unconfirmed |
Ngar Yon Gyi | 1,237 | 18 July 2022 | Unconfirmed |
Shin Min Dway | 1,136 | 18 July 2022 | Reported by Ayeyarwaddy Times. Unconfirmed |
Kyi Su | Unknown | 19 July 2022 | Information obtained via satellite data |
Shin Min Dway | 1,136 | 20 July 2022 | Reported by Ayeyarwaddy Times, later confirmed via satellite data |
Let Pan Hla | 1,506 | 27 July 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed |
Inn Pat | 5,587 | 24 September 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via geolocation |
Paung Hle Kone | 1,893 | 18 November 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data |
Let Yet Kone | Unknown | 18 November 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed |
Let Pan Gyi | 1,096 | 20 November 2022 | Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data |
Ma Daung Gyi | 1,367 | 20 November 2022 | Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data |
Saw Gyi | 2,262 | 21 November 2022 | Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data |
Tha Nat Sein | Unknown | 21 November 2022 | Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data |
Mon Hla | 2,274 | 24 November 2022 | Reported by Radio Free Asia, later confirmed via satellite data |
Myin Kya | Unknown | 25 November 2022 | Confirmed via satellite data |
Myit Taw | Unknown | 26 November 2022 | Unconfirmed |
Ah Lel Sho | 2,918 | 1 January 2023 | Reported by Myaelatt Athan, later confirmed via satellite data |
Mya Kan | 496 | 1 March 2023 | Reported by Myaelatt Athan. Unconfirmed |
References
- ^ "Resistance blazes amid the ashes of Khin-U". Frontier Myanmar. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Timeline of Fires in Khin U, Myanmar". Myanmar Witness. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ Firn, Mike; Kang, Taejun, eds. (25 August 2023). "More than 6,000 people flee junta raids in Myanmar's Sagaing region". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ Whong, Eugene; Lipes, Joshua; Ye Kaung Myint Maung (20 February 2022). "Myanmar junta adds arson to its arsenal with proxy forces that torch opposition areas". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ Moe Oo (13 June 2023). "Seven soldiers killed in ambush in southern Khin-U Township". Myanmar Now. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census: SAGAING REGION, SHWEBO DISTRICT: Khin U Township Report" (PDF). Myanmar Information Management Unit. Retrieved 9 January 2024.