Kaowao News: 4th of April, 2024
According to local residents, Military Council’s forces and armed robbers have been breaking and stealing valuables from the homes of people fleeing the civil war in KyaikMaraw Township, where the military tension is still ongoing.
Tarana Village, KyaikMaraw Township, where no fighting has yet to occur; a resident of KawSeik Village said that the Military Council soldiers and robbers were breaking into the homes of the local residents in the village where their troops are stationed, such as Sam Klom village, stealing their valuables.
“While the two sides are in a state of military tension, the locals are scared and are fleeing from the war. Soldiers and thieves break into the shops and houses, taking whatever they want. Residents are fleeing for their lives, worrying about returning back to their homes,” the resident added.
The resident also said that when there was no shooting happening, they wanted to go back to their homes and take their valuables along with them, but the Military Council soldiers didn’t allow them to enter the village, so they were unable to go and take back their valuables.
However, a resident of Sam Klom village, who fled the war, said that the residents are worried that their houses, like in Dhammassa Village, will be destroyed by fire.
“I sympathize with the people of Dhammassa Village. They didn’t get to save any of their valuables and their important documents were burned in the fire,” the resident continued.
According to local residents, the military council troops were still firing heavy weapons into nearby villages, including Dhammassa Village as of 1st of April.
In the afternoon of last 27th of March, there was no fighting, but due to the heavy weapon fire from the Military Council Navy warship in the Gyaing River, more than 300 houses in Dhammassa Village of KyaikMaraw Township were destroyed by the fire. The villagers were forced to flee to Mawlamyine Township and Chaungzon Township.
On the 24th of March, the local police station in Kawt Bein Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, was attacked and captured by the Revolutionary Joint Forces.
According to the residents’ statements, during the fighting in KyaikMaraw Township from 10th of November to 29th of December of the last year (2023), soldiers of the Military Council broke into the houses in Chaungnakwa Village and its nearby villages, stealing their valuables, while the local people were fleeing from the war and from their homes.
