Documenting the Monthly Impact of Arson Attacks on Civilian Homes (January 2025)

Key Messages

• Since the coup in Myanmar, over 113,104 civilian homes have been destroyed by arson.
• The Myanmar military and its affiliates are responsible for the destruction of 109,261 of these homes.
• In January 2025 alone, 588 civilian homes were destroyed by arson in Magway, Sagaing, Mandalay, Karenni, Tanintharyi and Bago (West).
• In January 2025, fires destroyed over 270 homes in 12 villages of Pakkoku, Myaing, Chauk, Minbu and Salin Townships, Magway Region. Additionally, 11 villages in Sagaing, Monywa, Yinmarbin, Shwebo, Wetlet, Khin-U and Kanbalu Townships, Sagaing Region, suffered the destruction of more than 200 homes.
• In January, Let Pa Kyin (South) Village of Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region, experienced the destruction of over 85 homes by fire, making it the most affected village of the month. 

Summary

As of 31 January 2025, over three years since the military coup, a total of 113,104 civilian homes have been destroyed by arson attacks. Among these, 109,261 homes were destroyed by arson attacks attributed to the Myanmar military and its affiliates. In Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, the organizations responsible for the destruction of 3,840 civilian homes through arson in May 2024 have not yet been confirmed.

By region, Sagaing Region suffered the highest loss, with 76,106 homes destroyed, accounting for over 67% of the total civilian homes destroyed nationwide due to arson. Additionally, 33,965 civilian homes were destroyed by arson in Magway Region, Mandalay Region, Rakhine State, Chin State and Tanintharyi Region.

During the three-plus years since the military coup, armed clashes between the Myanmar military and resistance forces have intensified. The Myanmar military and its affiliates have carried out arson attacks in areas with a strong resistance presence. These attacks targeted villages that support resistance forces and the contested towns. In addition to direct arson attacks during military operations, civilian homes have also been burned down through artillery, airstrikes, and naval shelling.

The Myanmar military and its affiliates have destroyed 2,111 homes in 2021, 46,856 homes in 2022, 31,633 homes in 2023, 31,916 homes in 2024, and 588 homes (as of 31 January) in 2025. The most significant destruction occurred in December 2022, with 10,562 homes lost.

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