Military notifies Minbya Twsp villages about planned weapons testing

By Admin 28 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
28 July 2023, Minbya

The junta’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 379, based in Arakan State’s Minbya town, has warned surrounding villages that it would test-fire multiple artillery rounds over the next few days. Locals have expressed concerns for their safety as the battalion did not specify when or where precisely it will shell.

As of July 26, the battalion had warned six Arakanese and Muslim villages about its planned test firing.

“The LIB told us yesterday that it would fire artillery shells, but they didn’t say where and when it would fire. They could fire at any time. We are concerned those working on farms, in the mountains or fishing will be harmed in that case,” said a resident of Buu Village who asked for anonymity.

Junta soldiers also trained with small arms in Thin Kyet Myaung, between LIB Nos. 379 and 380, on Wednesday morning, according to local residents.

A resident of Eain Shae Min Village in Minbya Township said: “We heard gunshots for around 40 minutes yesterday. We also heard there would also be shelling. We don’t know when they might fire. Local residents are concerned.”

The junta’s LIB Nos. 541, 379 and 380 are based in the west of Kyein Taung (Mt. Kyein) in Minbya Township. Two Singyipyin villages, one inhabited by Arakanese residents and the other inhabited by Muslims, are located near LIB No. 380. Some five villages including Eain Shae Min are located near LIB No. 541.

Though live-fire drills are a part of the Myanmar military’s routine training, it should avoid firing during the current ceasefire period, said politician U Pe Than.

“During the ceasefire, they should not do such a thing as if they were readying themselves for a war. The two sides are in the process of building trust, and neither side should engage in activities that can harm the trust,” he said, calling such actions provocative.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun, and Arakan State security and border affairs minister Colonel Kyaw Thura.

The military also tested artillery and small arms at an advanced military training school near Kanni village in Minbya Township from June 6-8, according to locals. Junta troops also tested weapons along the Thanzit River in Kyaukphyu on June 24.

The Myanmar military and the Arakan Army have observed an unofficial ceasefire since late November of last year.