Over 200 junta soldiers retreat from Maungdaw’s Kanyin Chaung economic zone

By Admin 15 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
15 July 2024, Maungdaw

Junta soldiers stationed at the Kanyin Chaung economic zone west of Maungdaw Town in Arakan State retreated from the area on July 14, according to local residents.

“Fierce fighting was reported near the Kanyin Chaung economic zone yesterday. The regime has sent reinforcements to the Kanyin Chaung economic zone and prepared a defence there. Junta soldiers fled the Kanyin Chaung economic zone due to the Arakkha Army (AA) offensive attack,” said a local source in Maungdaw.

More than 200 junta soldiers had been stationed at the Kanyin Chaung economic zone and they fled to Bangladesh and other areas, locals said. DMG continues to attempt to contact AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha regarding the matter.

Some homes were reportedly reduced to ashes due to a junta airstrike on Shwezar Village, near the Kanyin Chaung economic zone, on July 14.

“We saw some homes that were destroyed in the junta airstrike. We don’t know exactly the extent of damages. No one remains in the village and all villagers have fled to safer locations since the fighting broke out in the area,” said a Muslim man in Maungdaw.

The Kanyin Chaung economic zone is a border trading camp between Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is also a strategically important position, from which the military regime earns significant foreign dollars.

The AA is attacking the military’s Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw’s Myothugyi Ward, the only junta BGF battalion based in Maungdaw Township. The regime has responded to the AA attack with aerial and artillery support.