January 30, 2023
Reports from local residents indicate that Myanmar’s military is actively burning down Kan Taw village in the Pakokku Township, forcing over 1,000 villagers to flee for their safety. The military has also been reported to set fire to Taung Ya village.
On January 30, around 4 PM, the military forces reportedly invaded Kan Taw village, setting it ablaze while firing heavy weapons at nearby Kan Rak Gyi village, located two miles north of Kan Taw. Residents have fled to safer areas, with over 1,000 people escaping the violence.
A local resident stated, “There are over 200 households in the village. The PDF troops and military have been firing, and as they set the village on fire, nearby villagers have also been fleeing. More than 1,000 people are in hiding. We know the soldiers are still present in the village.”
Similarly, the military has reportedly set fire to Taung Ya village in the Kyun Hla Township of Sagaing Region. On January 30, around 9:30 AM, a military force of about 120 members, including troops from Infantry Division 368 and Pyu Saw Htee, entered and burned down Taung Ya village. Following this, the military group retreated toward Kanbalu Township, and the extent of destruction within the village remains unverified.
From December 2022 to January 2023, the troops from Infantry Division 368 and Pyu Saw Htee have reportedly caused destruction in eight villages within the Kanbalu and Kyun Hla townships, burning down over 200 homes, 30 temporary shelters, and rice storage facilities, and capturing and burning 13 civilians, according to local activist groups.
