Military tensions reportedly rising around Kyauktaw Twsp village

By DMG 18 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
18 January 2022, Kyauktaw

Locals from Pihtu village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township are worried that clashes might break out there as both Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) troops remain stationed nearby.

AA soldiers are stationed near Pihtu village, and junta forces are deployed at the monastery in Winsu village, about a half hour’s drive from Pihtu village, locals told DMG, adding that they feared fighting could flare.

The two sides’ positions “means that the Arakan Army has prevented the Myanmar military from crossing the border,” said an unnamed local resident. “If the Myanmar military crosses the border, there will be a battle with the Arakan Army.”

“If the Myanmar military invades the Arakan Army-controlled areas, it is ready for battle,” said another local who asked for anonymity. “Yesterday, more than 20 junta soldiers plus weapons arrived in a boat. About six of the 20-plus members of the Myanmar military reached the top of [Phetsonkan Hill, near Pihtu village], and retreated.”

The unnamed source said that because the situation between the two armies was said to be tense, traffic was disrupted and some Pihtu villagers fled to nearby villages, as well as to downtown Kyauktaw. 

“The villagers who fled in fear are returning home today. But my daughter has yet to return home,” he added.

DMG sought repeatedly to contact Major-General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the junta’s State Administration Council (SAC), and U Khaing Thukha, a spokesman for Arakan Army, regarding the matter, but they could not be reached.

There has been almost no fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army in Arakan State for more than a year, as the two sides reached an informal ceasefire arrangement in November 2020. Since the cessation of hostilities, the Arakan Army has been building up its influence in Arakan State and expanding its administrative and judicial reach.

The Myanmar military has warned local people in townships such as Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, Kyaukphyu and Pauktaw not to join or support the Arakan Army.

The Arakan Army issued a statement on December 10 warning that tensions between the Myanmar military and the ethnic armed organisation were escalating as military personnel moved from one village to another in Arakan State.