Junta forces torch villages in Sagaing after military officer killed

Junta forces have launched a sustained campaign of destruction across Sagaing Region, setting fires across multiple villages as part of operations that began following the killing of a senior military officer. The assault has forced more than 10,000 residents to abandon their homes and flee the affected areas.

The offensive, which has continued for nearly ten days, has targeted at least 19 villages across the region. Residents report extensive property damage as military columns move through the countryside, with arson being employed as a tactic during the operations.

The timing of the campaign coincides with escalating tensions in the region, where the military junta has faced mounting resistance to its rule since seizing power in February 2021. Armed opposition groups have increased their activities in Sagaing, one of the country's most volatile areas.

Displaced villagers have fled to areas beyond the junta's immediate control, with many seeking shelter in regions held by armed resistance forces. Humanitarian conditions in the affected areas remain dire, with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies for those who have relocated.

The incident underscores the ongoing military campaign against civilian populations in Myanmar, a pattern that has characterized the conflict since the coup.