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Myanmar junta troops massacre 11 villagers, most too old to flee, residents say

March 11, 2025/in News

The violence inflicted for years in minority areas comes to the central heartland. Updated on March 10, 2025 at 1:39 p.m. ET Read RFA coverage of this topic in Burmese. Myanmar soldiers on a sweep through a central village known for its support of anti-junta forces killed 11 civilians, most of them too old to […]

On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human RightsDocumentation – Burma Calls for the Recognition of Women’s Contributions to the Pro-Democracy Movement

March 8, 2025/in Press Releases and Statements

On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human RightsDocumentation – Burma Calls for the Recognition of Women’s Contributions to the Pro-Democracy Movement 8 March 2025 For Immediate Release On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) calls for the international community to recognize the resilience of women in the country’s […]

Myanmar junta troops massacre 11 villagers, most too old to flee, residents say

March 11, 2025/in News

On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human RightsDocumentation – Burma Calls for the Recognition of Women’s Contributions to the Pro-Democracy Movement

March 8, 2025/in Press Releases and Statements

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Myanmar junta troops massacre 11 villagers, most too old to flee, residents say

March 11, 2025/in News

The violence inflicted for years in minority areas comes to the central heartland.

Updated on March 10, 2025 at 1:39 p.m. ET

Read RFA coverage of this topic in Burmese.

Myanmar soldiers on a sweep through a central village known for its support of anti-junta forces killed 11 civilians, most of them too old to flee, residents of the area who saw the bodies told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

The Myanmar military has had an appalling human rights record for decades in its wars against ethnic minority guerrillas in remote frontier regions, independent investigators have said.

But violence over the past couple of years has been particularly brutal in central areas dominated by members of the majority Barmar community who, since a popular government was overthrown in a coup in 2021, have for the first time risen up in opposition to military rule.

All of those killed in Magway region’s Myay Sun Taw village were elderly apart from two, residents said.

“My father was left behind and didn’t escape the village. He’s elderly, so he’s attached to his home and didn’t run away. We were urging and calling for him but he didn’t follow us,” said the son of one of the victims.

“As far as I know, he was shot in the head. I feel devastated. This is my village, my people and my parents,” said the son, who declined to be identified for safety reasons.

Soldiers from the 101st Infantry Division Headquarters and three other battalions were involved in the sweep through the region that began on March 2, villagers said.

There was no battle to explain the soldiers’ actions as they raided the village, though the area is known to support pro-democracy fighters in paramilitary groups called People’s Defense Forces that have sprung up across the country since the coup, especially in the central Magway and Sagaing regions, residents said.

“They were all just civilians,” said one witness of the aftermath of the raid.

RFA called the junta’s spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, to ask about the incident but he did not respond by the time of publication.

The violence inflicted for years in minority areas comes to the central heartland. — Destruction after a raid by Myanmar soldiers on Myay Sun Taw village, Magway region, taken on March 6, 2025. (Yesagyo Township Info Committee via Facebook)

Residents identified the victims as a man in his 70s named Han Tin, a man in his 60s named Htay Myint, 88-year-old woman Than Ma Ni, 60-year old woman Than Pyae, 86-year-old woman Hla Ngwe, 67-year old man Kyi Htay, 69-year old man Aung Myaing, 35-year old man Thant Zin, 40-year-old man Aung Lin Naing, 70-year-old man Nyunt Wai, and 50-year-old man San Win.

Their bodies were discovered as villagers returned to the area on March 5 and 7, said a resident of Myay Sun Taw, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

Soldiers also burned down nearby Thar Gaung and Za Yat Ni villages, destroying about 600 homes and forcing some 10,000 people to flee.

Nway Oo, an official with the anti-junta Civil Defense and Security Organization of Myaung township, where the villages are located, told RFA that the military remains in Thar Gaung after suffering “heavy losses” when troops attempted to move into the town center.

“Now they are waiting for reinforcements,” he said, adding that “at least seven or eight soldiers were killed before the column retreated.

A representative of the anti-junta Yesagyo Township Information Committee, who also declined to be identified in fear of reprisals, noted that the military has “launched a lot of offensives in this region.

“Most villages are carrying out actions with armed groups to protect themselves,” he said. “The people killed in Myay Sun Taw were elderly and innocent. The military is malicious and extremely cruel.”

Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA Staff.

RFA News

On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human RightsDocumentation – Burma Calls for the Recognition of Women’s Contributions to the Pro-Democracy Movement

March 8, 2025/in Press Releases and Statements

On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human Rights
Documentation – Burma Calls for the Recognition of Women’s Contributions to the Pro-Democracy Movement

8 March 2025

For Immediate Release

On International Women’s Day, the Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) calls for the international community to recognize the resilience of women in the country’s democratic movement and to honour their commitments. For decades, a culture steeped in patriarchy has discriminated against women. Yet, they have consistently sought to challenge misogyny and ensure their voices are heard. ND-Burma condemns all forms of violence against women and girls and urges their participation in these revolutionary times to be acknowledged and encouraged.

Since the attempted coup on 1 February 2021, women’s rights have been under increased attack. The junta has sought to aggressively silence the calls of women of all generations through physical and verbal threats. Women and young girls have been unjustly arrested, detained and even killed for their activism. Their consistent and unwavering courage is evidence of their refusal to stand down in the wake of the military’s brutality.

With millions forcibly displayed across Burma, women-led organizations, including several ND-Burma members, have filled critical gaps in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and leading awareness-raising sessions. By sharing knowledge about women’s rights with conflict-affected communities, they are empowered through access to information.

With all forms of violence on the rise, women’s organizations have not only provided pathways to safety through safe houses and counselling but have also upheld the dignity of survivors. Moreover, communities across the country struggle with the lack of accessible health care and educational opportunities; nevertheless, women increasingly take on these roles as teachers, nurses, and doctors to ensure that children and those with illnesses still have access to necessary services.

Women human rights defenders have consistently demonstrated the skills, leadership, and competencies needed to be on the frontlines of Burma’s pursuit for a federal democracy. They’ve taken on various roles and transcended gender norms and expectations by joining the frontlines of the armed resistance movement as soldiers, medics, and fundraisers. Despite the immense risk to their safety, they have also used their platforms to call for accountability for the junta’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Further, ND-Burma calls upon all actors in the pro-democracy movement, including those involved in local governance and the National Unity Government, to recognize the pursuit for federalism and gender equality simultaneously. The international community must stand with women and advocate for protecting and promoting their rights and freedoms in Burma. In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR), women must be involved in the future of Burma’s political landscape.

Women must be supported and fiercely encouraged as they continue to challenge the status quo.

Media Contacts

Name: Nai Aue Mon

Signal: +66 86 1679 741

Name: San Htoi

Signal: +66 64 195 6721

ND-Burma was formed in 2004 to facilitate collaboration among Burmese human rights organizations on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to use the truth about what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims.

Members

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma
Chin Human Rights Organization
Human Rights Foundation of Monland
Kachin Women’s Association – Thailand
Ta’ang Women’s Organization
Ta’ang Students and Youth Union
Tavoyan Women’s Union
Association Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress
Future Light Center

Partner Organizations

East Bago – Former Political Prisoners Network
Pa-O Youth Organization
Progressive Voice

ND-Burma IWD 2025 Statement Download

Spring Revolution

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ND Burma

ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.

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