Thousands displaced by regime shelling in Kyaukphyu Twsp

By Admin 16 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 April 2024, Kyaukphyu

Thousands of local people from some villages in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, were reportedly forced to flee amid seven consecutive days of junta artillery strikes.

Junta battalions, warships and drones attacked Sanae town and nearby villages with heavy weapons from April 10 to April 16, locals said.

“The regime forces fired at least five mortar shells into the villages on a daily basis. Some mortar shells landed near the villages but local people were safe and managed to flee,” said a local man in Sanae town.

The junta’s Taungmawgyi naval base and warships docked near Zinchaung Village used drones to attack Sanae town and nearby villages at about 8 a.m. on April 16.

Junta artillery strikes destroyed two homes and some religious buildings in Dwaycha Village, forcing thousands of local people from at least a dozen villages such as Kyaukse, Hinkhayawpyin, Taungmaw, Awataung and Hmyarchaung to flee.

“Two homes and a stupa in the compound of the village monastery were destroyed by the regime shelling on April 13. No casualties were reported in the junta artillery attack. We cannot return home due to the regime shelling,” said a displaced resident of Dwaycha Village.

Some of those displaced are staying at relatives’ homes while others are taking shelter in the jungle and are in urgent need of drinking water and food items.

“We are currently in need of drinking water. We will not be able to return home due to the junta artillery attack and will face food challenges in the long run,” said a displaced person from Sanae town.

The military clashed with the Arakha Army (AA) in Kyaukphyu Township on March 14, forcing thousands of local people from Simaw, Kanchaing, Zaichaung, Thaingchaung and Kulabar villages to flee.