Clash near Rathedaung town injures IDP

By Khine Roe La 24 Jun 2020

Khaing Roe La | DMG
24 June, Rathedaung

Fighting flared between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army near the town of Rathedaung on Wednesday evening, with a man living at an IDP camp in the town injured by stray gunfire.

“Bullets landed in Shwe Parami IDP camp and a man from the IDP camp was injured,” said Ko Bekka, who provides aid to IDPs.

The injured man, 50-year-old U Maung Aye Nyunt, was shot in both legs. He was admitted to Rathedaung Hospital and is expected to be transferred to Sittwe Hospital, according to Ko Bekka.

Light Infantry Battalion No. 538, which is based in Rathedaung town, provided supporting artillery fire to Tatmadaw troops in combat with the AA outside of town on Wednesday, with safety concerns running high among Rathedaung residents.

Amyotha Hluttaw lawmaker U Khin Maung Latt confirmed that an IDP in the Shwe Parami camp, which is part of a monastery compound of the same name, was hit by stray gunfire.

Conflict between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army in Arakan State has resulted in more than 150,000 IDPs and hundreds of civilian casualties.