Clashes occurred in Ponnagyun displace villagers

Since clashes between the Tatmadaw and the AA broke out on Tuesday morning near Sinthe village in Ponnagyun Township, local residents have fled to safety, the village administrator U Maung Chit Hlaing told DMG.

25 Jun 2019

(Recent clash near Sinthe village forced villagers to flee to nearby villages by motorboat for their safety. Photo_Thabawa Nadi)

Kyaw Thu Htay | DMG

25 June, Sittwe

Since clashes between the Tatmadaw and the AA broke out on Tuesday morning near Sinthe village in Ponnagyun Township, local residents have fled to safety, the village administrator U Maung Chit Hlaing told DMG.

Sinthe village has about 500 houses and the majority of villagers are fleeing in fear of getting hit by shell fragments. They headed to locations such as Poe Shwee Pyin and Pauk Taw Pyin villages by motorboat.

“Villagers have left their homes to be safe. I have to stay here and watch over the village for the sake of security,” the village head said.

(Recent clash near Sinthe village forced villagers to flee to nearby villages by motorboat for their safety. Photo_Thabawa Nadi)

A clash previously occurred near the village. The fighting between the Tatmadaw and the AA has intensified since December, resulting in about 50,000 IDPs so far.