Thousands of Local Residents Flee Due to Conflict in Ramree

Thousands of local residents are fleeing following a clash between Arakan Army (AA) and Junta troops in Ramree (Yanbye), Rakhine State.

"Since yesterday, approximately 80 percent of the residents have left the town. The remaining people have been instructed to flee after noon today, as per the advice from the Arakan Army (AA). It seems the AA is concerned about the Military Council's potential threat to innocent residents at any given moment," shared a resident of Ramree with Narinjara News.

The urban area of Ramree has an approximate population of nearly 8,000. As of the morning of December 19, people continue to flee, seeking refuge in some nearby villages.

On December 18, at 8:13 AM, clashes erupted between the Junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) on the hill near the Aung Chan Thar Pagoda, situated over 200 meters south of Ramree Township.

During the battle, the junta troops launched an attack using warships, jet fighters, helicopters, and drones. According to a statement from the Three Brotherhood Alliance, four Military Council soldiers were killed, and some of the enemy's weapons, ammunition, and military equipment were captured.

The statement highlighted that the battle marked the first clash on Ramree Island during Operation 1027.

The conflict in Ramree Township on December 18 commenced after 7:00 AM. According to local reports, intense fighting also occurred in Thein Taung, near the Myoma market in Ramree Township, where the junta troops were stationed.

A resident in hiding at the monastery informed Narinjara News that the situation in Ramree Township has remained stable since the morning of December 19. However, they reported hearing gunshots from past 8:00 PM until dawn, and mutual gunfire was also heard this morning.

"The situation cannot be described as calm. Gunshots were audible until morning, and this morning, we heard the sounds of mutual firing. Gunfire is heard approximately every 15 minutes, starting after 11 AM. We are unsure whether the navy fired from Than Zit River, Ka Lain Taung River, and Sa Par Gyi River. The details are unclear," explained the resident.

During the fighting on December 18, one elderly man from Laung Chaung ward was killed by shell shrapnel. Moreover, two young girls from the same ward and one man from Nyaung Pin Hla village were also seriously injured.

The resident mentioned being uncertain about other damages as they did not dare to go and witness them.

After the morning fighting on December 18, at around 12:00 PM, the Military Council carried out airstrikes on Ramree Township and nearby villages with a jet fighter and two military helicopters, resulting in the destruction of several houses and gas stations in the urban ward, as stated in a statement by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

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