Regime forces clash with AA in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 17 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 June 2024, Kyaukphyu

Fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) has reportedly been ongoing near Zaingchaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, since 7 a.m. on Monday.

A 100-strong junta contingent including military-trained Muslim conscripts were ambushed by the AA while heading to Thitpotetaung junction through Mee Kyaung Tet Village from Kandi Village on the morning of June 17.

“The clash between the military and AA broke out this morning. The junta’s No. 32 police battalion and regime soldiers on a nearby hill helped the military fight against the AA. The villagers fled to safer locations as mortar shells fell and exploded in the village,” said a local woman.

Hundreds of local residents from Zaingchaung, Thaingchaung and Kulaba villages were forced to flee the fighting.

The regime fired mortar shells and conducted drone attacks on AA positions during the clash and the sounds of heavy weapons and small arms fire were heard until 10 a.m. on Monday, according to locals.

“The regime used Muslim militiamen as human shields during the fighting. The regime battalions provided artillery support in the clash with the AA,” said a local man from Kulaba Village.

The Danyawaddy naval base and No. 32 police battalion are located about two miles from the scene of the hostilities. The military clashed with the AA at the same location on March 14.

The junta’s Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 542 and 543, Infantry Battalion No. 34, the Danyawaddy naval base, Taung Maw Gyi sub-naval station and a police battalion are all based in Kyaukphyu.