Junta reinforces battalions in Taungup with Muslim conscripts

By Admin 13 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
June 13 2024, Taungup

Myanmar’s military regime has sent hundreds of Muslim conscripts to reinforce its battalions in Taungup Town, Arakan State, sources told DMG.

The 5th Military Operations Command, Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 544 and 346 are based in Taungup. Residents have reported seeing Muslim conscripts at those battalions since earlier this month.

“We saw Muslim conscripts getting off from vehicles in the cantonment. Some residents have fled for fear that the regime might use dirty tricks. It appears that the regime will use Muslim conscripts to defend against the AA's attacks,” said a source.

Taungup Town residents and villagers from nearby villages have fled for fear of possible fighting.

Junta warships near Kyauknimaw in Ramree Township and junta positions in Taungup Town fired artillery shells at villages in Taungup Township on Wednesday morning while there was no fighting, panicking local residents.

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways in Taungup, making it difficult for town residents to flee.

“The regime has blockaded Taungup, but residents are fleeing. We are concerned that Muslims would be involved if the fighting breaks out in Taungup because of our experience of the fighting in Buthidaung and Maungdaw,” said another Taungup resident.

The regime has been forcibly conscripting Muslims in Arakan State. Such junta-affiliated Muslim organisations as the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Arakan Rohingya Army have reportedly abducted young Muslim men from refugee camps in Bangladesh and sold them to the Myanmar military.

The regime is accused of using them to fight the AA after providing intensive military training.

The AA attacked a junta convoy between Mote and Baryay villages in Taungup Township with remote-controlled mines in December 2023. There have been no hostilities since then.