Fighting between military and AA intensifies in Minbya

By Admin 10 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 January 2024, Minbya

Fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) has been escalating in Minbya, Arakan State, since 5 a.m. on Wednesday, according to local people.

Regime forces used heavy weapons and small arms, and a junta helicopter conducted airstrikes on some positions during the hostilities, locals said.

“The fighting began early Wednesday. The military fired multiple mortar shells and the fighting is still intensifying,” a Minbya resident told DMG at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

The fighting follows AA assaults on some junta outposts including Kyein Taung base in Minbya Township, according to locals.

Civilian casualties were reported in some downtown wards in Minbya due to the junta airstrikes and shellings.

“My father was injured and it is not easy for us to contact social organisations to ask for help. No one dares to send my father to the hospital due to the junta airstrike. My father’s wound was bleeding profusely, so I was very worried about his safety. I don’t know what to do,” a daughter of one of the injured told DMG.

“The regime bombed Minbya. We are not comfortable talking on the phone because we are fleeing to safer locations,” said another Minbya resident.

The AA also ambushed a military convoy heading to the No. 9 Military Operations Command near Phetharpyin and Pharpyo villages in Minbya Township on November 13.

Following the AA ambush, thousands of residents fled to safer locations but some remained in Minbya, many due to financial difficulties.