AA, Myanmar military troops clash in Ramree

By Admin 18 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 December, 2023

Junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) clashed in Arakan State’s Ramree town Monday morning, forcing some town residents to flee when the regime bombed the town.

The fighting took place around 7:00 a.m. and only lasted for 10 minutes. 

According to a social activist from Ramree, at around 12 noon: “A jet fighter that came from Thandwe bombed the town around eight times. Residents have fled the town. Casualties are still unknown. The bombing raid lasted for around 30 minutes.”

Ramree is located in the south of Arakan State, and fighting did not occur there between 2019 and 2022.

Following fighting on Saturday morning, junta troops deployed at Aung Chan Tha Pagoda on the outskirts of the town fired shots and artillery, said residents.

“There are junta deployments near Tharzi Pyin Village on the outskirts of Ramree town. We heard an exchange of gunfire from there. Junta positions near there are also firing shots. Taungmawgyi [Kyaukphyu] naval base is also firing artillery,” said a Ramree resident on Monday.

A woman from Ramree said on Monday: “I also heard gunshots yesterday. Today, they have been shooting since the morning. Some people have fled out of fear.”

Junta troops detained two men, ages 39 and 19, from Thayet Chaung Village on Sunday morning as the pair returned from Ramree town after seeing a doctor there. 

“Junta troops stationed at No. 5 Ward pulled over their vehicle, and detained them. We don’t know yet if they have been released,” said one Ramree resident.

DMG attempts to contact the two men’s family members are ongoing.

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways since renewed fighting broke out on November 13, and has made arbitrary arrests of civilians.

The junta has arrested over 430 civilians in Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Thandwe and Ponnagyun townships since the renewed fighting, the AA said on December 14.