Pauktaw residents flee naval bombardment

By Admin 16 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 November 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime unleashed a relentless bombardment of Pauktaw on Thursday afternoon, following the Arakan Army’s seizure of the central police station in Pauktaw town, according to residents.

Three junta warships were reportedly primarily responsible for the barrage, forcing thousands of residents in Pauktaw to flee their homes.

“From the jetty of Pauktaw, three Navy ships fired with heavy guns. All the residents have fled. Junta aircraft are also firing. All the residents have fled the town,” said a Pauktaw resident.

Shells have hit residential areas, with the extent of the damage and the number of casualties still unknown at the time of reporting.

Another Pauktaw resident said: “They have so far fired at least 30 rounds of shells. Locals have concerns for their safety. Some houses in the town were already hit and damaged. We fled the town.”

Three junta helicopters also used machine guns to strafe around Pauktaw Police Station at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, damaging some houses. A civilian suffered minor injuries.

Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun was unavailable for comment. The Arakan Army (AA) launched an offensive on Monday in Arakan State and junta troops have since abandoned some 40 border guard outposts and police stations.