Khin-U attacks

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Khin-U attacks
Part of the Dry Zone theater of the Myanmar civil war (2021–present)
Date29 January 2022 – present (4 years, 1 month and 3 days)
Location
Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar
22°46′08″N95°37′18″E / 22.76889°N 95.62167°E / 22.76889; 95.62167
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Flag of PDF Myanmar.svg People's Defence Force
Casualties and losses
7 dead, 13 wounded (PDF claim) Unknown
  • As of 25 August 2023:
  • 6,000 refugees
  • 30,000 internally displaced
  • 6,000 homes destroyed
  • As of 2 January 2023: [1]
  • 240 PDF and civilians dead
  • 150 PDF and civilians arrested
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Location of the attacks within Myanmar

Since the beginning of the Myanmar civil war in 2021, the village of Khin-U and other surrounding settlements been attacked several times by groups associated with the ruling State Administration Council. As a result of the attacks, primarily conducted via artillery strikes and burnings of settlements, thousands have homes have been destroyed and thousands of local residents have been displaced.

Contents

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. [1]

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. [2] 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. [3]

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. [4]

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. [5]

List of fires

NamePop. [6] DateMore information [3]
Yauk Thwar Aing 1,75529 January 2022Reported by Kachin News Group. Unconfirmed
Hman Taw 2,7095 March 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed
Ta Moke Unknown15 March 2022First posted on Reddit, later confirmed via geolocation
Ku Lar Lu Unknown16 March 2022First posted on Twitter, later confirmed via geolocation
Shar Lwin 2,96816 March 2022First posted on Telegram, later confirmed via satellite data
Ku Lar LuUnknown30 March 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data
Ngar Inn Gyi 1,2373 April 2022Reported by Khin-U Revolution News, later confirmed via satellite data
Ywar Thar 2,00823 April 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data
Than Bo 1,74226 April 2022First posted on Facebook, later confirmed via satellite data
Inn Pat 5,5872 May 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed
Thar Wut Hti 2,44918 July 2022Unconfirmed
Mon Hla 2,27418 July 2022Unconfirmed
Shar Taw Unknown18 July 2022First posted on Facebook. Unconfirmed
Shar Taw Unknown18 July 2022First posted on Facebook. Unconfirmed
Ngar Yon Gyi 1,23718 July 2022Unconfirmed
Shin Min Dway 1,13618 July 2022Reported by Ayeyarwaddy Times. Unconfirmed
Kyi Su Unknown19 July 2022Information obtained via satellite data
Shin Min Dway1,13620 July 2022Reported by Ayeyarwaddy Times, later confirmed via satellite data
Let Pan Hla 1,50627 July 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed
Inn Pat5,58724 September 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via geolocation
Paung Hle Kone 1,89318 November 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data
Let Yet Kone Unknown18 November 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed
Let Pan Gyi 1,09620 November 2022Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data
Ma Daung Gyi 1,36720 November 2022Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data
Saw Gyi 2,26221 November 2022Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data
Tha Nat Sein Unknown21 November 2022Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data
Mon Hla2,27424 November 2022Reported by Radio Free Asia, later confirmed via satellite data
Myin Kya Unknown25 November 2022Confirmed via satellite data
Myit Taw Unknown26 November 2022Unconfirmed
Ah Lel Sho 2,9181 January 2023Reported by Myaelatt Athan, later confirmed via satellite data
Mya Kan 4961 March 2023Reported by Myaelatt Athan. Unconfirmed

References

  1. 1 2 "Resistance blazes amid the ashes of Khin-U". Frontier Myanmar . 2 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Timeline of Fires in Khin U, Myanmar". Myanmar Witness. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Moe Oo (13 June 2023). "Seven soldiers killed in ambush in southern Khin-U Township". Myanmar Now . Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census: SAGAING REGION, SHWEBO DISTRICT: Khin U Township Report" (PDF). Myanmar Information Management Unit. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
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