AA attacks junta convoy with remote-controlled landmines in Taungup Twsp

By Admin 19 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
19 December 2023, Taungup

Locals in Taungup Township, Arakan State, are worried about the possibility of fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) after the ethnic armed group attacked a junta convoy with landmines at about 10 p.m. on December 18.

A military regiment in Taungup fired mortar shells after three military trucks bound for Taungup from Thandwe were attacked with remotely detonated landmines at Thetkelpyin Bridge near Kanday Village.

“The military battalion fired mortar shells into the area where a junta convoy was attacked with landmines. The military also fired heavy weapons into the villages yesterday. We didn’t hear the sounds of heavy weapons today,” said a local man in Taungup.

Some junta soldiers were reportedly killed and injured in the landmine attack. There are reports that at least six regime soldiers are being treated at Taungup Hospital, but DMG could not verify the junta casualties. The regime has not released any statement regarding the matter.

Hundreds of locals from Kanday, Chaungthonekhwa and Thapyoe villages near Thetkelpyin Bridge have fled to safer locations due to the junta’s artillery strikes following the AA’s landmine attack on the military convoy.

No artillery strikes were reported in Taungup in the past, but residents in the town are concerned for their safety due to the possibility of fighting in the area.

“Local people in Taungup are worried that the fighting between the military and AA will resume in the area due to the landmine attack. If the two sides fight, people will have to leave their homes and flee,” said a resident of Taungup.

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.

Thousands of residents of Arakan State’s Ramree town and locals in the surrounding area have fled their homes due to junta shellings and airstrikes since the fighting in the area on December 18.

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Caption: A public recreation area in Taungup.