Regime shelling displaces thousands of local people in Ramree

By Admin 20 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
20 December 2023, Ramree

Thousands of residents of Arakan State’s Ramree town and locals in the surrounding area have fled their homes due to junta artillery strikes since fighting in the area.

The regime carried out artillery strikes after junta and Arakan Army (AA) troops clashed on the outskirts of Ramree on Monday morning. A junta jet strafed, and ground troops and warships also fired shots and artillery at Ramree town and nearby villages, according to sources on the ground.

A 46-year-old man from Laungchaung Ward was killed in the junta assault. Two girls, 13 and 15, from the same ward, and a 61-year-old man from Nyaungbin Hla Village were injured and some homes and roadside petrol stalls were set ablaze.

Mortar shells fired by Myanmar Navy vessels fell and exploded in some villages on December 20, according to local residents.

“An artillery shell fired by a Myanmar Navy warship landed and exploded in Letpan Village this morning, but no one was injured. We are worried for our safety as the Myanmar Navy vessels often fire mortar shells into residential areas,” said a local displaced by the junta shelling.

About 13,000 local people from Ramree town and nearby villages such as Letpan Awa, Letpan Ahnyar, Kyetthayay, Pyaingchaung and Khamaung Chaytaing have fled to safer locations and only a few hundred people remain in Ramree town.

“We fled to a village when the fighting broke out in Ramree. We are now fleeing to another location as the village is no longer safe for us,” said a woman from Ramree town.

“We dare not return home for the time being because no one guarantees our life. The Myanmar Navy also often fires mortar shells into the town,” said another Ramree resident.

Four junta soldiers were killed and weapons and military equipment were seized during Ramree fighting on December 18, the Arakan Army said in a statement.  The regime has yet to release a statement regarding the Ramree battle.

Fighting has been escalating in Arakan State and has spread to Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ann, Myebon and Ramree townships.