Arakan Army seizes district police station in Mrauk-U

By Admin 27 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
27 December 2023, Mrauk-U

The Arakan Army (AA) seized the district police station in Mrauk-U, Arakan State, at about 9 p.m. on December 26, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement.

The AA began an assault on the police station on December 24 and fierce clashes were reported as the military responded to the AA’s offensive with artillery attacks and aerial support during the hostilities.

Fighting broke out between the two sides near Kyaukritkay junction at around 8 p.m. on December 26 and the ethnic armed group was able to occupy the district police station an hour later.

The military’s Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 377, 378 and 540 fired multiple mortar shells into Mrauk-U and junta jet fighters conducted airstrikes on the ancient city on December 26.

Two General Administration Department (GAD) offices in Lay Myo Sar Village and Htamarit Ward in Mrauk-U were reduced to ashes by the junta airstrikes, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said.

“I saw GAD offices on fire yesterday. Residents have fled to safer locations. I don’t know what is happening in Mrauk-U,” said a local in Lay Myo Sar Village.

Junta jet fighters were seen flying over Mrauk-U on the morning of December 27. Relatively few people remain in Mrauk-U as thousands of locals have fled their homes due to ongoing fighting in the area.

“Hundreds of residents fled to safer locations as some homes were destroyed by the junta shelling and airstrikes, and civilian casualties were reported,” said a displaced woman from Hsinchaseik Ward.

At least nine civilians were killed and 16 others were injured due to the military’s artillery strikes during the first three days of the Mrauk-U battle, the Three Brotherhood Alliance’s statement said.