Junta troops retreat from Aung Mingalar and Taung Phyu mountain areas in Minbya

The junta troops, stationed at Aung Mingalar and Taung Phyu mountain areas of Pan Myaung village in Minbya township of Rakhine State, have quietly left their camps on the night of 12 December, fearing a potential attack by the Arakan Army (AA).

According to the local residents, hundreds of soldiers stationed at the two camps crossed from the east bank of Lemro river to arrive in Mrauk-U township on the other side during the night hours. They have
retreated to Purein village.

"None of the locals was aware of it and they came to know about the development in the morning hours only. The soldiers took advantage of the snowy condition and fled. Currently, both the mountain camps have no soldiers,” added a local.

There is no such information about the camp conditions and for any civilian it’s difficult to get proper information urgently.

The junta forces conducted airstrikes near Pan Myaung village before they retreated. However, the Mrauk-U battalions continued artillery firing for some time.

Local residents revealed that the entire upper Lemro river, including Pan Myaung village in Minbya township went under the control of the AA  following the retreat of soldiers from both the mountain villages.