Nearly 120,000 civilian homes torched across Myanmar since 2021 coup as arson attacks intensify

Mizzima

According to a report released on 19 February by Data for Myanmar, a total of 119,411 civilian homes across Myanmar were burned down during fighting and military conflict between May 2021 and August 2025 following the coup.

The group said that 115,568 of those homes were burned down in arson attacks carried out by the Military junta and its affiliated groups during this period.

According to the data broken down by state and region, Sagaing Region recorded the highest level of destruction, with more than 77,700 homes burned. This represents over 65 percent of the total number of civilian homes destroyed nationwide.

Between June and August 2025 alone, more than 2,500 civilian homes in 81 villages across eight states and regions were set on fire. During this three-month period, large numbers of homes were destroyed in Kanbalu in Sagaing region, Minhla in Bago region, Chauk and Pakoku in Magway region, Myingyan and Nyaung-U in Mandalay region.

Clashes between Military Commission forces and revolutionary groups have escalated in the post-coup period, resulting in widespread arson attacks across conflict-affected areas.

“The Military Commission and its affiliated groups have been seen to have carried out military operations in the conflict areas, burning down towns and villages, destroying houses, looting valuables, and setting fire to houses while stationed in those areas,” said the statement.

Concerning the situation in Rakhine State, the report said that more than 3,800 civilian homes were burned in Buthidaung Township in May 2024. However, it added that the specific group responsible for those incidents has not yet been identified.

Data for Myanmar has called on all armed groups to immediately cease targeting civilians and setting fire to civilian homes. The organization also urged the international community to exert pressure to bring an end to such actions as soon as possible.

The report further warned that the figures presented may be lower than the actual situation on the ground, as incidents that could not be independently verified or lacked complete data were excluded due to various challenges.