Some schools in Rathedaung Township closed

22 Jul 2019

Aung Htein and Cha Lu Aung | DMG

22 July, Rathedaung

More than 4000 people from about five villages have been displaced home from their homes when the Navy ships retaliated to the AA’s attack in Rathedaung Township, this resulted village schools closing.

Schools from Pyar Bin Yin, Yan Aung Pyin, Zay Gone Dan, Kha Tauk Chaung and Nan Si Gone villages are temporarily closed now.

“All people left the villages, so teachers took leave and returned home. The schools have closed temporarily,” said U Kyaw Mya, township education officer in Rathedaung Township.

The AA fired two rockets at three naval ships on 20 July. The attack took place near the bank of May Yu River in Rathedaung Township.  The Navy retaliated against the AA and fired shells that struck a location local refer to as Saydama field, the gunfire caused villagers to run away from their homes.

“We heard the sound of gunfire from ships. Artillery shells landed in a field that encompasses four villages. So, villagers were worried that artillery shells would land on their homes so they left their villages,” said a local resident from Pyar Bin Yin village.

More than 4000 villagers from about five villages fled to Yan Aung Byin village and different wards in Rathedaung town.

Similarly, a clash occurred in Myebon Township on 19 July, more than 2000 villagers have been displaced.

Since ongoing clashes between the Tatmadaw and the AA have been occurring in Arakan State, local residents from different townships have fled from their homes. The number of IDPs has now reached over 50,000, the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC) said in a statement released on 9 July.