Regime conducts joint army, navy and air force operations in Ramree

By Admin 03 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 January 2024, Ramree

Regime forces are reportedly conducting joint army, navy and air force operations in Ramree, where fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) is intensifying, in southern Arakan State, on a daily basis.

At least 13 homes in Ramree’s Ward-4 were destroyed as a junta jet fighter bombed the island town at about 3:05 p.m. on January 2.

“A junta jet fighter dropped bombs on Ramree yesterday evening, reducing many homes in Ward-4 to ashes. The junta artillery strikes also destroyed some homes in other quarters,” said a local man who witnessed the situation on the ground.

A junta jet fighter bombed the town of Ramree, burning some homes to the ground, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement on January 2. Some homes were reduced to ashes as a Myanmar Navy vessel fired into Ramree town on January 1.

Thousands of residents in downtown Ramree and nearby villages have fled to safer locations since fighting flared between the military and AA in the area on December 18.

“The regime forces fire heavy weapons into Ramree on a daily basis. We didn’t hear the sound of gunfire today. Junta soldiers have reportedly been stationed at a religious edifice in downtown Ramree,” said a displaced woman in Ramree.

The regime increased its military presence in downtown Ramree and has been using locals as human shields while opening heavy weapons and small arms fire, the Three Brotherhood Alliance’s statement said.

A 46-year-old man from Laungchaung Ward was killed in the junta assault. Two girls, ages 13 and 15, from the same ward, and a 61-year-old man from Nyaungbin Hla Village were injured, and some homes and roadside petrol stalls were set ablaze.

Some residential buildings and schools have been damaged by fire in Ramree, and it remains difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage.