Junta forces use two helicopters to confront AA members close to Mrauk-U

The Arakan Army (AA) intercepted a group of 100 military council soldiers, who were retreating from Aung Mingalar and Taung Phyu mountain regions in Pan Myaung village under Minbya township near the Mrauk-U town police battalion camp and exchanged heavy gun fires.

Even two helicopters were sent in by the junta forces to target AA members.

"We heard the sound of gunshots by 3 pm on Wednesday. At around 4:30 pm, two helicopters arrived and started firing from the sky. After 5 pm, the helicopters departed and the gun fighting stopped by 6 pm,” said a Mrauk-U resident.

Another resident informed Narinjara News that both the military helicopters fired continuously.

"The police battalions also used artillery shells and small weapons to target the AA members,” added the resident.

He also informed that the villagers were terrified by the gun firing.

"It's frightening. The situation is tense. We want to live safely and peacefully," he asserted.

The clash erupted when the AA members attacked the retreating junta troops from Pan Myaung village. A fierce clash between the two armed groups lasted for about an hour.

The soldiers fled from the camps in Pan Myaung village and retreated to Purein village and then to the Mrauk-U town police battalion's camp.

Number of casualties out of the clash is yet to be known.

The local residents informed that two artillery shells exploded in Aung Mingalar Thet village during the clash.

Likewise, an artillery shell landed in Yadanar Man Aung pagoda compound in Mrauk-U locality

There are also reports that artillery shells landed in the vicinity of Wan Tee mountain, Ywar Haung Taw and Tha Yet Oke villages.

The helicopters also opened fire on Nyaung Pinlel village on their return journey.

On 13 December, over 100 soldiers fled from Purein village under Mrauk-U township and later they joined the police battalion near Koe Thaung pagoda in the same township.