Burma Army Murders 9 Civilians and Torches Over 400 Homes in a Single Month In Northern Burma: August 2022 Report
5 October 2022
Kachin State, Sagaing Division, and Northern Shan State, Burma
*This report has been edited from an earlier published version to reflect corrected numbers.
During the month of August, the Burma Army continued committing war crimes against its own people in northern Burma. Burma Army soldiers attacked and killed 9 identified civilians and more who have not yet been totaled or identified. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) also reported that more than 400 houses were burned down by Burma Army troops in a single month, forcing residents who survived the attacks to flee into hiding. While the Burma Army destroyed many homes from the ground, it also continued its use of aircraft to bomb civilian areas, resulting in the loss of homes and lives of civilian residents. In an attack on a single location in Homalin Township, Sagaing Division, on 9 August 2022, Burma Army jets dropped a total of 24 bombs and strafed 22 times in a time-span of just six hours. In August, the Burma Army also kidnapped villagers, adults and youths, to use as forced labor. In their efforts to upend livelihood in northern Burma this month, the Burma Army caused the loss of 26 lives of their own troops as well.
As regions around Burma unite against the destructive and oppressive military dictatorship, northern Burma is no exception. Seven different regional branches of the national People’s Defense Force (PDF) in northern Burma were recorded defending Ethnic Armed Organization (EAO) controlled areas over the past two months: a display of national unity operating at the local level. During August alone, there were also three reports of unknown armed groups which fought against the Burma Army in three different townships on three separate occasions. Northern Burma continues rising up against the military regime as a strengthening force against the Burma Army’s perpetual destruction, representing the larger fight for freedom that is at hand across all of Burma.
*This information is limited to reports from Free Burma Rangers and the Kachin Independence Army, and it does not represent the totality of military battles or human rights abuses in Burma. The information only serves as a snapshot of the conflict areas.
Burma Army Attack Report
Kachin State
Waingmaw Township
On August 2, 2022, at 0820 hrs, combined forces of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin People’s Defense Force (K-PDF) raided Dulay P.T.T’s outpost (LJ 750 073), in Nwan Yang Village, Waimaw Township. At 0900 hrs, the outpost was seized by the combined forces. Four K-PDF personnel received minor injuries.
On August 2, 2022, at 1755 hrs, fighting broke out when Burma Army troops coming from Washawng Road appeared at coordinates: LJ 717 073, Bum Tawng Sadung Road, Waimaw Township, where KIA soldiers were present. KIA seized some items from the Burma Army. Seriously wounded Burma Army soldiers were taken away by car.
On August 4, 2022, at 2220 hrs, KIA soldiers fired 79mm rounds and grenade launchers at Shwe Nyaung Pyin LIB (321) Base, in Waimaw Township.
On August 7, 2022, at 2238 hrs, KIA soldiers from 3rd Battalion stationed at Nga Pawng Bum fired four 60mm mortar rounds at the Burma Army Sadung Bum Base. Burma Army soldiers indiscriminately reacted by firing five 60mm mortar rounds, MG-42, and small arms, in Waimaw Township.
On August 8, 2022, at 1920 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Sadung Bum (Tactical Command Base) fired four 81mm mortar rounds near Sana Village and to the side of Ding Gyi Krung.
On August 9, 2022, at 1200 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Sadung Bum Byuha Kawng (Tactical Command Base) fired two 81mm mortar rounds to the side of Sana Village.
On August 10, 2022, between 0420-0450 hrs, Burma Army troops stationed at Nwan Yang P.T.Ts Base indiscriminately fired four 60mm mortar rounds and MG-42 machine gun in four rounds, in Waimaw Township.
On August 12, 2022, at 1730 hrs, combined KIA soldiers from 4th and 22nd Battalion attacked Shwe Min’s two P.T.T. trucks that were carrying horses and coming from Pang Wa. KIA soldiers attacked the trucks by detonating IEDs. The incident took place at coordinates: LJ 835 316 between Hka Wan and Man Dawng, in Waimaw Township. Five people escaped and 10 were captured. The attack left the trucks destroyed, six horses dead, and three people wounded. The wounded were taken to Myitkyina by a car.
On August 13, 2022, at 1230 hrs, KIA soldiers from 3rd Brigade fired grenade launchers and M-79 at Burma Army soldiers from Artillery Unit encamping at Bum Tawng Village (LJ 724 068), in Waimaw Township.
On August 14, 2022, at 1335 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Chihpwi road junction fired three 81mm mortar rounds to the side of 17-Mile, in Waimaw Township.
On August 16, 2022, at 0900 hrs, Burma Army soldiers fired three 81mm mortar rounds to the sides of Ding Gyi Krung and Sana Village, in Waimaw Township.
On August 20, 2022, at 2130 hrs, Burma Army LIB (389) indiscriminately fired four mortar rounds in Waimaw Township.
On August 25, 2022, at 1030 hrs, the combined troops of IB (142) and LIB (103, 318, and 319), operating at Sadung, Bum Tawng, and N-wan Yang, were attacked with four IEDs, while heading to Sadung-Chihpwi Road in two 24-wheel trucks, in Waimaw Township.
On August 29, 2022, at 0930 hrs, KIA soldiers from 3rd Battalion attacked around 20 Burma Army soldiers coming down from Nga Gyang, with four IEDs in Waimaw Township.
Hpakant Township
On August 3, 2022, at 0735 hrs, Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF) attacked Police Forces from No. 30 Special Police Station in a Vigo car on the street in front of Aung Thit Lwi Market, leaving Police Captain Ko Ko Lwin killed and two other police personnel wounded, in Hpakant Township.
On August 7, 2022, at 1700 hrs, around 55 Burma Army soldiers moved through the jungle from Le Pin Gun Powder Camp and arrived at Namjan LIB (13)’s outpost. As they continued, KIA soldiers from 6th Battalion attacked the Burma Army soldiers with an IED, detonating it near Uru Hka, in Hpakant Township.
On August 8, 2022, at 0528 hrs, Burma Army soldiers from Ginsi Byuha Kawng (Tactical Command Hill) fired eight 120mm mortar rounds to the side of KIA 9th Brigade area, in Hpakant Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 1940 hrs, four 81mm mortar rounds were fired from Sezin Police Station to the side of Chanta Aye Village.
On August 12, 2022, at 2030 hrs, KIA soldiers from 9th Brigade fired 60mm mortar rounds at Burma Army soldiers stationed at Sezin.
On August 12, 2022, 434 households from Sezin Village took shelter as follows: 189 households in Tamahkan monastery, 86 households at the monastery, Tamahkan Hku Ma village, 19 households at Hawng Pa monastery, 18 households at Tamahkan KBC Church, 24 households at Tamahkan AG Church, 41 households at Nat Ye Tawng monastery, and 57 households at Nam Hpyit monastery.
On August 13, 2022, at 2230 hrs, Burma Army LIB (119) based at Ta Mahkan fired two 60mm mortar rounds to the side of Nam Mwi Yu Village, in Hpakant Township.
On August 15, 2022, between 1530-1545 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Nam Ya fired four mortar rounds to the rear of Hkum Tsai Zup Village, in Hpakant Township.
Mansi Township
On August 6, 2022, at 0830 hrs, Burma Army soldiers from LIB (601) coming on foot from Sin Hkan were attacked with IEDs at Zin Bung Village (LG 895 685), in Mansi Township.
On August 19, 2022, at 1120 hrs, Burma Army IB (121), operating around Chyauk Htung Gyi Village (KG 389 803), set fire to three houses of Chyauk Htung Gyi villagers, in Mansi Township.
On August 19, 2022, at 1416 hrs, there was a clash at Min Jawng Kung Village between IB (121), operating to the sides of Min Jawng Kung, Ta Ya Kung, Chyauk Ji from Mo Da Lay, and KPDF.
On August 19, 2022, at 1800 hrs, KIA soldiers from 12th Battalion, using guerilla tactics, fired using RPG, M-79, grenade launchers, and small arms at around 50 Burma Army soldiers of an unknown unit arriving along Ban Lay Kung (KG 358 758) in Mansi Township.
On August 22, 2022, between 0430-0945 hrs, fighting broke out when KIA soldiers from 12th Battalion fired at around 40 Burma Army soldiers from IB (121) and LIB (309) arriving around Ban Bwe Gawng Village (KG 358 758) in Mansi Township.
On August 22, 2022, at 1218 hrs, a jet dropped nine bombs around the clash site between Ban Bwe Gawng Village and Chyauk Htung Gyi, in Mansi Township.
On August 27, 2022, between 2015-2110 hrs, five 120mm mortar rounds were fired around Chyauk Htung Gyi from the side of Katha from Burma Army soldiers. Additionally, eight 60mm mortar rounds were fired near Burma Army IB (121) Base, in Mansi Township.
Myitkyina Township
On August 6, 2022, at 0540 hrs, an unknown armed group on two motorcycles wearing police uniforms attacked No. 3 PLN Police Station, leaving four policemen killed and nine others wounded. One of the attackers was also killed in the incident, in Myitkyina Township.
On August 7, 2022, at 0940 hrs, police personnel carried out extensive checks of vehicles, mobile phones and identity cards at No.3 PLN Police Station.
Shwegu Township
On August 10, 2022, at 0430 hrs, KPDF attacked around 80 combined Burma Army troops of LIB (415) and IB (10) with IEDs at coordinates: (KG 732 879) near Kyauk Talung. The attack left Major Thein Myint Aung (commander), Sergeant Ko Myo, and two privates killed and four others seriously wounded, in Shwegu Township. The bodies of the deceased were cremated near Chyauk Talung Village.
On August 19, 2022, at 0400 hrs, KPDF detonated three IEDs near Ye Lay Village in an attack on Burma Army LIB (415) operating to the side of Tin Baw In from Mo Sit Village, in Shwegu Township.
On August 22, 2022, Myo La KPDF attacked around 70 Burma Army soldiers from IB (77) operating from Mo Da Lay between Ta Ya Kung and Myai Ya Chyun, in Shwegu Township. The attack left three Burma Army soldiers wounded.
On August 25, 2022, at 0930 hrs, Myo La KPDF shelled five ships carrying Burma Army soldiers and supplies coming from Mo Da Lay, at Chyawk Tan Chyun near Ta Ya Kung in Shwegu Township.
Danai Township
On August 11, 2022, at 0330 hrs, KIA’s militiamen attacked Burma Army P.T.T Base, at Jahtu Zup Tsan Pya Village. One KIA soldier was killed and one was wounded in Danai Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 1225 hrs, KIA’s militiamen attacked around 52 Burma Army soldiers from IB (298), coming from Man Pang, with two IEDs which detonated at the cemetery of Nawng Mi Old Village. The attack left the operation commander and two soldiers wounded. At 2030 hrs, the troops entered their outpost located at the head of Nawng Mi Village by two Tungfung (6-wheel trucks), in Danai Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 1810 hrs, around 60 Burma Army soldiers from IB (298) moving on foot to Nawng Mi were attacked with two IEDs along the Nawng Mi old village cemetery (KJ 680 954) in Danai Township.
On August 13, 2022, at 1117 hrs, KIA militiamen from 20th Battalion attacked around 60 Burma Army soldiers from IB (298), including a 10-wheel truck returning to their base at Nawng Mi Village, with four remote mines around the head of Manpang Darung Village (KJ 724 400). The attack left the truck destroyed and six Burma Army soldiers wounded. The Burma Army soldiers reacted by firing on the way back. At 1830 hrs, the Burma Army soldiers returned to IB (298) Base in Nawng Mi Village in Danai Township.
On August 13, 2022, at 2220 hrs, six 60 mortar rounds were fired from Burma Army IB (297) Base to the side of Lawt Ja Village, in Danai Township.
On August 14, 2022, at 2040 hrs, three mortar rounds were fired from Burma Army IB (297) Base to Wa Hka front line area in Danai Township.
On August 15, 2022, at 2320 hrs, Burma Army soldiers fired a 60mm mortar round from IB (297) Base to the side of Jahtu Zup Hkanam, in Danai Township.
On August 15, 2022, at 2330 hrs, Jahtu Zup Sanpya P.T.Ts fired 79mm rounds to Awng Ra Village. Fragments hit and wounded a five-year-old boy in his spine. Maran Jat Awng He, the victim and son of Mr. Maran Zau Tu, was admitted to the Danai Hospital in Danai Township.
On August 18, 2022, 70 Burma Army soldiers from IB (86 and 238) operating around Laja Village captured Mr. Tin Nuk and two youths who were looking after Sai Yang terrain, forcing and using them as porters, in Danai Township.
On August 19, 2022, at 0500 hrs, KIA soldiers from 45th Battalion attacked around 70 combined Burma Army soldiers from IB (86 and 238), heading to Hka Lung from Dahkyet Village, with eight IEDs at coordinates: KK 425 472 between Dahkyet Village and Hka Lung Village. The attack left two Burma Army soldiers dead and four others wounded. The wounded were taken by two cars to IB (260) Base in Hka Lung Village, Danai Township.
On August 26, 2022, between 1355-1400 hrs, Burma Army IB (297) fired four 81mm mortar rounds to Jahtu Hkahku (north of Jahtu Stream), in Danai Township.
On August 31, 2022, at 1130 hrs, KIA soldiers from 20th Battalion attacked Burma Army soldiers coming from Dumbung with a mine, five 79mm grenade rounds, and small arms at Hkinru Pa (KJ 813 233). As the Burma Army soldiers kept moving, they were attacked with three IEDs along Sai Ling Stream (KJ 806 247), in Danai Township.
Monyin Township
On August 14, 2022, at 1930 hrs, three Burma Army drones circled over KIA 8th Brigade Headquarters in Monyin Township.
On August 24, 2022, at 0100 hrs, a jet dropped two bombs at KIA 8th Brigade’s old headquarters (KH 649 336). At 1400 hrs, three jets flew over KIA 8th Brigade’s old headquartrs (KH 649 336) and dropped four bombs near Dawoi Village (KH 614 204). At 2230 hrs, two jets dropped two bombs at Hkabawng Village (KH 575 202) near Dawoi, in Monyin Township.
Bhamo Township
On August 18, 2022, at 1400 hrs, Burma Army’s jet fighter landed at Bhamo Airfield and returned at 1620 hrs, in Bhamo Township.
On August 26, 2022, at 2206 hrs, six mortar rounds were fired from Manmaw 366th Artillery Unit Base (LG 212 156) to Ye Le and Pa Pawng, in Bhamo Township.
Sagaing Division
Indaw Township
On August 6, 2022, at 0900 hrs, fighting erupted twice between Burma Army LIB (416) and KIA soldiers from 35th Battalion: between Naba and Pin Malut and between Namsi Awng and Mawlu, in Indaw Township.
On August 24, 2022, at 1400 hrs, there was a clash between KIA soldiers from 35th Battalion and combined Burma Army troops (LIB 371 and 416) at Na Ba road intersection, in Indaw Township.
Homalin Township
On August 8, 2022, at 0137 hrs, KIA soldiers from 9th Brigade attacked Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) P.T.T Base located along the Burma Army Sezin Outpost and Sezin Shwe Pyi Myint. At 0400 hrs, KIA soldiers seized the base, in Homalin Township.
On August 9, 2022, Burma Army jets dropped bombs at and around Sezin Village where fighting had taken place. At 0950 hrs, jets dropped bombs resulting in Daw Swe (aged 48) wounded and her son, Mg Thi Ha (aged 15), killed. At 1130 hrs, a jet from Myitkyina dropped five bombs. At 1400 hrs, a jet dropped four bombs. At 1500 hrs, a jet dropped four bombs. At 1530 hrs, a jet dropped six bombs and strafed 16 times. At 1620 hrs, a jet dropped two bombs. At 1620 hrs, a jet strafed six times. At 1730 hrs, a jet dropped four bombs. At 1800 hrs, a jet flew over the site. At 2155 hrs, a jet from Myitkyina dropped three bombs and strafed 22 times. Due to the attacks, around 200 civilian villagers from Sezin and Shwe Pyi Myit fled to Ta Mahkan Village and around 200 villagers fled to Nambuk Village where they sheltered at a monastery.
On August 9, 2022, at 1010 hrs, Burma Army troops shot and killed six civilians: U Thein Zaw (aged 40), U Kyaw Shi (aged 42), Daw San San Aye (aged 45), and three other unknown people.
On August 9, 2022, at 1300 hrs, combined forces of KIA 31st Battalion and 9th Brigade attacked around 20 police personnel led by Lt. Kaung Than Zin from No.1 Police Station and around 30 Burma Army soldiers from LIB (119) who had withdrawn from Sezin Outpost and were encamped at Sezin Village, in Homalin Township. The attack left Major Aung Zin Maung and two soldiers from LIB (119) killed and one policeman wounded.
On August 9, 2022, at 1730 hrs, the combined forces of 40 Burma Army soldiers stationed at Shwe Pyi Myint and Burma Army troops led by Lt. Col. Sein Min Thin from LIB (116) and Lt. Col. Zabu Soe from LIB (385), who had come in ten cars from Shwi Dwi Village, advanced towards Sezin Village where they set fire to residents’ houses and arrested, shot, and killed residents.
On August 10, 2022, at 0500 hrs, Burma Army troops shot and killed two people while they left Sezin Monastery. The two people were identified as U Pho Pein (aged 45) and Daw Ma Naing (aged 40).
On August 10, 2022, at 0400 hrs, the combined forces of Burma Army LIB (119), IB (42), and SNA stationed at Sezin Police Station burned down around 400 houses of fleeing residents using gasoline and tires.
Katha Township
On August 9, 2022, between 1728-1735 hrs, KPDF fired mortars and small arms at Nga Oo Police Station (KG 423 583), in Katha Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 0840 hrs, KIA soldiers from 8th Brigade encountered around 20 Burma Army soldiers under LID (77) operating in Myenu (KG 458 910) from Sin Gung Tai, in Katha Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 1142 hrs, three big ships and two ships coming from Hti Chyaik reached Inn Ywar (KG 238 490) near Katha. At 1200 hrs, the ships arrived at Kyauk Pung Ganung. At 1410 hrs, between Katha and Nyawng Chyi Htauk (KG 881 285), the combined forces of KIA 12th Battalion and SG KPDF fired two 107mm mortars at the ships. The two shells hit one of the ships, in Katha Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 1630 hrs, two jets circled over the KIA 8th Brigade Headquarters in two rounds in Katha Township.
On August 18, 2022, at 0930 hrs, five ships carrying Burma Army troops and supplies, coming from Mandalay, headed to Shwegu via Katha Ship Port in Katha Township.
Northern Shan State
Kuthkai Township
On August 1, 2022, between 2000-0215 hrs, KIA soldiers from 9th Battalion attacked around 60 Burma Army soldiers from LIB (420), coming out of Malun Bum, with two rounds of 40mm and five rounds of 79mm at Bak Noi Bum (LG 864 350) in Kuthkai Township.
On August 1, 2022, at 1130 hrs, the People’s Defense Force (PDF) commanded a mine explosion at MG 886 540, near Muse Circle (Traffic Clock), injuring a local Burma Army militant (P.T.T), a traffic policeman, and a civilian worker, in Kuthkai Township.
On August 2, 2022, between 1500-1600 hrs, KIA soldiers from 9th Battalion defended against an offensive of around 80 Burma Army soldiers coming down from Baknoi Bum at Kawngmu Ma-sa Kawng (LG 858 399). The Namhpakka Base supported by firing twelve 120mm mortar rounds to the clash site, in Kuthkai Township.
On August 5, 2022, between 1715-1720 hrs, Namhpakkka IB (123) Base fired three 120mm mortar rounds to the side of Na Hpai Village (LG 842 370), in an area of KIA 29th Battalion, in Kuthkai Township.
On August 10, 2022, at 0730 hrs, KIA soldiers from 34th Battalion attacked six Burma Army soldiers on two motorcycles coming from Man Bat (LF 147 665) at Pang Swi road junction (LF 966 955) in Kuthkai Township.
On August 11, 2022, at 1533 hrs, around 100 Burma Army soldiers under LID (99) coming in two 12-wheel trucks from Namhpaka IB (123) Base (LG 811 200) were dropped at Hangkai Nam Mwi Bridge (LG 858 268). As they moved, KIA soldiers from 9th Battalion attacked them at coordinates: LG 881 285 between Hangkai and Hku Mung, in Kuthkai Township. Namhpakka IB (123) Base supported by firing four mortar rounds to the clash site.
On August 17, 2022, between 1218-1300 hrs, an unknown armed group hurled a mine at Namhpakka Police Station and fired small arms twice. Burma Army soldiers reacted by shelling five 60mm mortar rounds nearby, in Kuthkai Township.
On August 19, 2022, at 0705 hrs, KIA soldiers from 8th Battalion attacked around 30 Burma Army soldiers in 12-wheel trucks coming from Sinli were attacked with two remote mines between Man Ping and Sinli Tole Checkpoint (LF 960 795) in Kuthkai Township.
On August 20, 2022, between 0835-0855 hrs, KIA soldiers from the 3rd Coy of 8th Battalion fired eight M-79 rounds and detonated two remote mines in an attack on around 30 Burma Army soldiers coming from Na Lwi (LF 431 754). The mines were detonated at Na Gai Old Village, between Na Lwi and Bang Wa (LF 405 702), and left three Burma Army soldiers killed and four Burma Army soldiers wounded, in Kuthkai Township.
Maebein Township
On August 4, 2022, between 0930-0945 hrs, KPDF attacked around 60 Burma Army soldiers from IB (121) Base, coming on foot from Nga Oo, at Sin Dung (KG 492 503) once, and again at Shwe Dung Cemetery (KG 484 485) between 1800-1820 hrs once, leaving nine Burma Army soldiers killed, in Maebein Township.
Muse Township
On August 11, 2022, between 1420-1500 hrs, fighting broke out when around 100 combined Burma Army troops LIB (421 and 420) coming from Maw Tawng, advanced toward Bang Jung Namgat (Worship Hill, MG 005 478) where Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) soldiers from 7th Brigade were stationed, in Muse Township.
On August 24, 2022, between 0600-0620 hrs, fighting broke out when around 70 Burma Army soldiers of an unknown unit, coming from Na Samu Old Village (LG 911 289), fired at Dima, Gyu Mana (LG 963 319) where Ta’ang PDF was stationed, in Muse Township.
On August 25, 2022, between 1130-1145 hrs, Burma Army soldiers of an unknown unit attacked a base near the Salween River where Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) soldiers from 331st Brigade were stationed, in Muse Township.
Manton Township
On August 19, 2022, between 0600-0610 hrs, KIAs soldiers from 34th Battalion fired at IB (130) Base at Man Dung (LF 083 713), killing two Burma Army soldiers, in Manton Township. Burma Army returned fire with six 60mm mortar rounds and small arms.
Namtu Township
On August 20, 2022, between 1410-1440 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Se Ji (LF 247 582) fired six 81mm mortar rounds indiscriminately to Namhkum (LF 213 615), in Namtu Township.
On August 22, 2022, at 2045 hrs, KIA soldiers from 34th Battalion fired a 60mm mortar round at Se Ji IB (257) Base (LF 247 582). Burma Army soldiers returned fire with small arms and six 60mmm mortar rounds until 2137 hrs, in Namtu Township.
On August 24, 2022, at 0615 hrs, KIA soldiers from the 3rd Coy of 34th Battalion fired two 60mm mortar rounds at Se Ji IB (257) Base (LF 247 582). Burma Army soldiers returned fire with three 81mm mortar rounds and small arms, in Namtu Township.
On August 25, 2022, at 0720 hrs, KIA soldiers from 34th Battalion attacked around 40 Burma Army soldiers coming on foot from Se Ji, at Lai Mye (LF 225 570). Between 0720-0810 hrs, all kinds of small arms and two 81mm mortar rounds were fired from Se Ji Burma Army IB (257) Base. Between 0825-1024 hrs, thirteen 120mm mortar rounds were fired from Namtu Burma Army Base, in Namtu Township.
On August 28, 2022, between 0754-0830 hrs, combined troops of KIA and PDF attacked Se Ji IB (257) Base (LF 247 582), in Namtu Township.
Thanks and God bless you,
Free Burma Rangers