Military conducts sweeps and airstrikes in Pakokku, over 20,000 displaced due to burning of homes, UN reports

Yangon, July 8 Local residents reported that the military council troops are conducting sweeps and continuous airstrikes in Pakokku Township, Magway Region, and that houses in villages are being burned down. The United Nations also reported on July 6 that over 20,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes due to the intensification of fighting in Pakokku since the beginning of July. It is known that a jet fighter that took off from Tate-U Air Base bombed areas near the border of Pakokku, Paukk, and Myaing townships from the air early in the morning of July 8. As of now, the extent of damage caused by this attack has not yet been confirmed. Furthermore, around 8 a.m. this morning, a military council column that departed from Twinma Pyu village in southern Myaing Township arrived near Thit Pwely Kone village and Than Bo village in Pakokku Township, and it is known that local residents are fleeing due to the arrival of the column. "The column is entering the Kanma area in Pakokku district. It is not yet known where it will head next. Some people are also fleeing. Early this morning, there was also an aerial bombing near the border of Pakokku, Paukk, and Myaing," said a local resident. Local residents have stated that in the Myit Gyi region of Pakokku Township, during military council sweeps in late May and early June, nearly 50 civilians, including women, children, and youth, were arrested and summarily executed, and many houses in over 10 villages were burned down. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also stated in its July 6 report that over 20,000 civilians have been displaced from their homes due to the intensification of fighting in Pakokku Township since July 2. The UN also reported that the total number of people displaced from their homes in the Pakokku region since May due to military conflicts has reached approximately 80,000. The UN has warned that the safety and protection of civilians fleeing their homes are urgently needed, as reports indicate that military activities are being intensified. The UN has reported that while the UN and partner organizations are assessing the needs of conflict-affected areas and working to provide humanitarian assistance, difficulties continue to be encountered in delivering aid to conflict areas. Furthermore, the UN has urged all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and to ensure safe, continuous, and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance. According to the UN, Myanmar continues to be one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 16 million people requiring emergency assistance, including nearly 3.8 million internally displaced persons. Additionally, the UN reported that while US$890 million is needed for the 2026 Myanmar Humanitarian Response Plan, only US$387 million has been received to date, representing less than 44 percent of the required funding. Photo: Military burning rural areas inhabited by civilians. (An old photo is used.)