Myanmar military clashes with Arakan Army in Taungup Twsp

By DMG 25 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
25 August 2022, Taungup

A clash broke out between the Myanmar military’s Ngapali-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 55 and the Arakan Army at a location between Chaungthongkhwa and Kyeintaw villages in Arakan State’s Taungup Township at around 4 p.m. on Thursday.

The fighting lasted for about 20 minutes and the Myanmar military suffered casualties in the clash, according to a local resident.

“The fighting lasted for about 20 minutes and the Myanmar military suffered casualties. The junta soldiers are currently stationed near Nyaungpauk village, about five miles from Chaungthonkhwa village,” the local added.

Some residents did not dare to stay in the village due to the fighting and fled to safer locations, said a resident of Chaungthonkhwa village.

“The military retreated from the scene of the fighting, but some people fled to safer locations. Those who have remained in the village dare not go outside,” the resident added.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from U Khaing Thukha, spokesman for the Arakan Army, regarding the clash, though sources told DMG the Myanmar military raided an area where an AA base is located, prompting Thursday’s hostilities.

The military fought, oftentimes fiercely, with the Arakan Army in Arakan State from the end of 2018 to November 2020, but there were no battles in Taungup Township, where Thursday’s fighting took place.