AA rescues over 1,000 locals trapped by Thandwe fighting

By Admin 13 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 June 2024, Thandwe

The Arakkha Army (AA) on June 12 rescued more than 1,000 local people from Got Village, part of Arakan State’s Thandwe Township, who were trapped by fighting near the village.

The AA has been clashing with military forces near Got Village, about two miles from Ngapali Town, since June 2, leaving many civilians pinned down by junta blockades.

“A friend of mine in Got Village told me that the AA rescued more than 1,000 people trapped by the fighting. Their mobile phones were confiscated by the AA for security reasons, but they were allowed to contact their families,” said a source.

No civilian casualties were reported during the fighting and the AA took control of Got Village and nearby villages, according to those released.

The regime is reportedly preparing to defend against the AA’s ongoing offensive at Thandwe Airport. The military’s tactical commanding officer is leading the defence preparations at Thandwe Airport to prevent the AA from seizing Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 566 and 55, locals said.

The military clashed with the AA near Got and Hmohinpyin villages in Thandwe Township on June 12, with the regime calling in aerial and naval support.

“We heard gunfire from the direction of Got Village at around 3 p.m. yesterday,” said a Thandwe resident. “A junta jet fighter dropped bombs on the villages at around 6 p.m. The military is attempting to defend Thandwe Airport and LIB 566 against the AA attack.”

Fighting has been raging in Thandwe Township for two months, since the AA unleashed an onslaught on junta positions near the Tha Htay Chaung hydropower dam project on April 13.

At least 100 civilian casualties have been reported due to the regime’s artillery attacks and airstrikes on civilian areas during the battle for control of Thandwe.