FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Nearly 77,000 homes burned down since 2021
Data for Myanmar states that 76,932 homes have been burned down nationwide from May 2021 to Oct. 31, 2023. More than 200 homes were burned down in 80 towns and villages. Sixty-six in Sagaing Region, eight in Magway Region, two in Kachin State. The remaining four were located in Mandalay Region, Chin, Karenni, and Mon states.
Nearly 1,300 homes were burned down in Thantlang Township of Chin State. Around 1,000 houses were torched in Sininn Village in western Shwebo Township of Sagaing Region. The U.N. states that the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) nationwide now exceeds two million.
Two hundred children killed since January
The Assistance of Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP) states that 200 children have been killed since Jan. 22. Seventy were killed by airstrikes and 59 by artillery. It has documented the names of each victim and admits there may be more.
The most recent was a 14-year-old killed by an artillery shell fired by the military in Namhsan Township of Shan State on Nov. 20. At least 4,197 other civilians, including children, have been killed by pro-military forces since the 2021 coup.
The military has made 25,437 politically-motivated arrests since 2021. And 19,708 are still in detention. Among them, 8,139 have been convicted by military courts and are serving prison sentences.
Burmese soldiers arrested in northern Thailand
Two soldiers from Burma’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 519 were arrested in northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province on Nov. 21, Thai media reported. The soldiers were dressed as civilians but locals reported them to authorities.
Thai police are currently investigating. Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province borders Karenni and Karen, states where fighting between the military and resistance forces has been almost non-stop over the last two years.
News by Region
SHAN—Regime officials used loudspeakers to encourage Taunggyi residents to attend the Tazaungdaing balloon festival from Nov. 21-27. Students from local schools attended the festival. “Around 200 students and individuals receiving daily allowances were present during the festival’s opening ceremony,” a Taunggyi resident told DVB.
The military has imposed a security perimeter around the festival site in Taunggyi. Some balloon makers declined to participate in Tazaungdaing this year. Locals claimed that the attendance has been lower than in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARAKAN—The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) stated that 26,000 Rohingya staying at five IDP camps in Pauktaw Township have not received any humanitarian assistance since Nov. 10. Roads and waterways into Pauktaw have been blocked by the military.
MON—Telecommunications services have been shut down in around 20 villages of Kyaikmaraw Township since Nov. 21. “Not only have communication channels been shut down, but the regime has also blocked roads and enforced a blackout in the area,” a Kyaikmaraw resident told DVB.
Some villages have had previous disruptions in telecommunications services since fighting broke out between the military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and its allied People’s Defense Force (PDF), on Nov. 10. Two children were killed and others were injured. Around 4,000 people have become IDPs.
YANGON—The military has deployed troops to universities and schools across Yangon. “They have been stationed for two days and three soldiers guard at the school gate,” a Hlaing Township resident told DVB.
The military has reportedly increased its presence on the Yangon University campus. “While soldiers were previously present, their numbers have now multiplied in the university,” said another resident.
Soldiers have increased their presence in public areas after resistance forces threatened military camps and police stations may come under attack. The public was warned not to go near soldiers, police or areas where they are stationed.
