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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
List of fires
Name Date More information Yauk Thwar Aing 1,755 Reported by Kachin News Group. Unconfirmed Hman Taw 2,709 Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed Ta Moke Unknown First posted on Reddit, later confirmed via geolocation Ku Lar Lu Unknown First posted on Twitter, later confirmed via geolocation Shar Lwin 2,968 First posted on Telegram, later confirmed via satellite data Ku Lar Lu Unknown Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data Ngar Inn Gyi 1,237 Reported by Khin-U Revolution News, later confirmed via satellite data Ywar Thar 2,008 Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data Than Bo 1,742 First posted on Facebook, later confirmed via satellite data Inn Pat 5,587 Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed Thar Wut Hti 2,449 Unconfirmed Mon Hla 2,274 Unconfirmed Shar Taw Unknown First posted on Facebook. Unconfirmed Shar Taw Unknown First posted on Facebook. Unconfirmed Ngar Yon Gyi 1,237 Unconfirmed Shin Min Dway 1,136 Reported by Ayeyarwaddy Times. Unconfirmed Kyi Su Unknown Information obtained via satellite data Shin Min Dway 1,136 Reported by Ayeyarwaddy Times, later confirmed via satellite data Let Pan Hla 1,506 Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed Inn Pat 5,587 Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via geolocation Paung Hle Kone 1,893 Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data Let Yet Kone Unknown Reported by Khit Thit Media. Unconfirmed Let Pan Gyi 1,096 Reported by Khit Thit Media, later confirmed via satellite data Ma Daung Gyi 1,367 Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data Saw Gyi 2,262 Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data Tha Nat Sein Unknown Reported by Mandalay Free Press, later confirmed via satellite data Mon Hla 2,274 Reported by Radio Free Asia, later confirmed via satellite data Myin Kya Unknown Confirmed via satellite data Myit Taw Unknown Unconfirmed Ah Lel Sho 2,918 Reported by Myaelatt Athan, later confirmed via satellite data Mya Kan 496 Reported by Myaelatt Athan. Unconfirmed
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