Over 100 junta soldiers abandon two hilltop camps in Minbya Twsp

By Admin 13 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
13 December 2023, Minbya

More than 100 junta soldiers have reportedly abandoned two hilltop camps near Panmyaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Minbya Township, according to local people.

The junta soldiers stationed on the twin hilltop camps fled to Mrauk-U by crossing the Laymyo River on the night of December 12, Panmyaung Village residents said.

“Junta soldiers fled to Mrauk-U by boat yesterday night. Fighting between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) was reported yesterday. There are no junta soldiers in the village,” said a local resident.

One villager was injured by mortar shells fired by junta soldiers on Mt. Panmyaung, which landed and exploded near Gonkyun Village in Mrauk-U Township on the afternoon of December 12.

Six residents in Panmyaung Village were reportedly arrested at their homes by about 70 regime soldiers, who were stationed on Mt. Taungphyu, on Tuesday, but the detainees were later released.

“The Panmyaung villagers were released at about 11 p.m., but there were wounds on their faces and hands,” said another resident from Panmyaung Village.

About half of the local population in Panmyaung Village fled to safer locations as a junta helicopter and a jet fighter fired on areas near the village on December 11. Now, about half of the displaced people have returned home as junta soldiers abandoned their bases near the village.

The Arakan Army occupied four Border Guard Force (BGF) outposts within one month of the latest hostilities in Arakan State, which began on November 13. The AA also seized more than 40 BGF outposts and police stations abandoned by junta troops and two tactical command bases, the ethnic armed group has said in a statement.