September 23, 2024
The military raided Kywe Thay Chaung village in Butalin Township, Sagaing Region, killing one civilian and looting the entire village, including donations from a local monastery, according to local sources. The raid took place on the night of September 20 when soldiers, who had come to assist in the battle for Kootaw village, stormed Kywe Thay Chaung village, shooting indiscriminately and looting homes, as well as the monastery.
“They even took the donation money from the Kywe Thay Chaung monastery, ransacking every house in the village. They stole everything, from piggy banks to TVs, solar panels, and clothes, leaving behind their military uniforms and shoes,” said one villager.
The soldiers reportedly opened fire as soon as they entered the village, causing monks to flee. They smashed open a glass cabinet in the monastery and stole around 1 million kyats in donation money, according to local reports. In addition, the military shot and killed a 50-year-old man named Ko Myo Oo, who had been eating outside his home, unaware of the attack.
“Ko Myo Oo was over 50 years old. He was from Kywe Thay Chaung. He thought the military wasn’t nearby and had gone outside to eat, but they shot him right in front of his house,” another villager said.
Ko Myo Oo’s body was buried by locals on September 21. Military forces have since reached the police station in Kootaw village, and some soldiers have retreated toward Butalin, forcing residents from nearby villages to flee.
