Junta artillery strikes kill at least three civilians, injure several others in Kyauktaw Twsp

By DMG 04 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
4 November 2022, Kyauktaw

Several civilians were seriously injured after artillery shells landed and exploded across multiple villages in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, this week.

The injured have been identified as U Maung Tu Chay, 86; Ko Naing Naing Oo, 31; Ma Moe Moe Naing, 28; and Ma Lay Khaing, 32, from Shwepyithit Village, and a Muslim man in his 30s from Letsaungkauk Village.

“The injured people are neighbours and they were wounded by shrapnel when two artillery shells hit their homes. Two homes were collapsed by the shelling. Other homes in the village were also hit by artillery shells, but the extent of the damage is not yet known,” said a resident of Shwepyithit Village.

Of the five people reportedly injured, U Maung Tu Chay sustained severe shrapnel wounds to his head and his condition is considered life-threatening.

“He [U Maung Tu Chay] is in critical condition. Four others received shrapnel wounds to their legs, arms and abdomens. We are currently transporting the injured people to Kyauktaw Hospital,” a Shwepyithit Village resident said.

A Muslim man also sustained serious injuries to his arms after an artillery shell fell and exploded in Letsaungkauk Village.

Two military vessels sailing along the Kaladan River to Kyauktaw from Sittwe were ambushed by the Arakan Army (AA) near a sugarcane mill in Kyauktaw at about 10 a.m. on Friday, according to locals.

Five locals were injured when the military fired heavy weapons into local villages after some members of the Arakan Army shot at them, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

DMG phoned Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura and junta spokesperson Major-General Zaw Min Tun, seeking comment on the matter, but they could not be reached. DMG continues to attempt to contact AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha regarding the matter.