Shelling empties village in Kyauktaw Township conflict zone

By Khaing Roe La 18 Feb 2020

Khaing Roe La | DMG

18 February, Kyauktaw

Multiple artillery shells landed in Kyauktaw Township’s Wetmakya village on February 17, sending its inhabitants fleeing to safer locations, according to residents.

Four artillery shells launched from Mt. Taung Shay, east of the village, at about 2 p.m. on Monday exploded in the village. The blasts forced villagers from their homes and to nearby villages, said U Thaw Bi Ta, the abbot of the local monastery.

“Some houses in the village were destroyed. A cow was killed. There was no report of casualties. But they fled their homes,” the abbot told DMG.

Villager U Sein Than Hlaing said the artillery fire hit some homes including teachers’ housing, destroying roofs and walls.

“We cannot use the road to Kyauktaw town for medical treatment if the villagers are hit and injured by the artillery shells. So, we fled to safer places to prevent being hurt,” he said.

More than 270 people including the abbot have taken refuge in nearby Thar Pone village, where they face difficulties finding adequate food and shelter.

The Tatmadaw and Arakan Army have been fighting since February 5 along the Taung Shay mountain range near Tinma, Wetmakya and Khapaw villages, east of the Kaladan River and about 13 miles from Kyauktaw town, villagers said.