NarinjaraNews, 24 August 2022

The junta forces attacked the Arakan Army (AA) with two Russia-made helicoptersnear Aboung Thar village of Paletwa township of Chin State on 24 August.

Accordingto locals, the attack by Russian Mi-35 took place at around 4:15 pm onWednesday during the fighting between junta forces and AA members.

"Today'sbattle was not a long one, sounds of small arms firing were heard for sometime. The attack of Russia-made helicopters lasted for 15 to 20 minutes,” addedthe villagers.Thegun fighting between the government forces and AA members started last eveningnear Aboung Thar village.

The sound of small arms firing was heard from bothsides in the afternoon hours.AboungThar villagers got scared of the situation where the Paletwa-based LIB (289)battalion fired heavy weapons too. Many residents left the village.

AAspokesperson U Khaing Thukha and Rakhine State security and border affairsminister colonel Kyaw Thura were contacted by Narinjara News but no responsewas found.

Thecurrent battles have spread to Maungdaw township's Waila Taung and Mitakevillages also, the area is adjacent to Bangladesh border. 

It isthe first time that the junta used helicopters to target AA members since 19July. It may be mentioned that the informal ceasefire broken on 4July soon after the junta fighters bombed an AA base located at thebrigade number 5 under the control of Karen National Liberation Army, which isaslo adjacent to Thailand.