Junta shelling sets fire to IDP camp in Kyauktaw Twsp

By Admin 13 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 January 2024, Kyauktaw

A camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) caught fire after mortar shells fired by the military landed and exploded in Kansauk Village and the adjacent displacement camp in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township on Saturday, according to locals.

The military’s Kansauk Village-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 539 fired mortar shells into the village and a displacement camp this afternoon, causing the blaze, locals said.

“The military regiment has been firing mortar shells into residential areas since the fighting. Some homes and the IDP camp caught fire after mortar shells fell and exploded in the village and displacement camp,” said a resident of Kansauk Village.

Fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) is escalating as the ethnic armed group has been engaged in an assault on the military’s Kyauktaw-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 539 since January 10. Civilian casualties were reported as the military responded to the ethnic armed group’s attack with aerial and artillery support.

Daw San Kyoe Ma, 60, was killed and Maung Maung Win Khaing, 5, and U Maung Thaung Sein, 62, were injured after a junta fighter jet opened fire on Letpan Village in Kyauktaw Township on the night of January 12.

Thousands of local people from Wahtaung, Pyaungseik, Mayutpyin, Khamaungtaw, Chaungtu, Panphechaung, Taungmin, Kanpyin and Khwasone villages in Kyauktaw Township were displaced by the fighting.

“The regime forces fired mortar shells and conducted airstrikes. We spent the whole night hiding in the bomb shelter,” said a resident of Khwasone Village.

Fighting between the military and AA has been fierce in Arakan State since early January. The AA has been launching assaults to capture urban junta positions and military outposts in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw and Myebon townships.