Thousands of local residents are fleeingfollowing a clash between Arakan Army (AA) and Junta troops in Ramree (Yanbye), RakhineState.

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

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

On December 18, at 8:13 AM, clashes eruptedbetween the Juntatroops 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 BrotherhoodAlliance, four Military Council soldiers were killed, and some of the enemy'sweapons, ammunition, and military equipment were captured.

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

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

A resident in hiding at the monastery informedNarinjara News that the situation in Ramree Township has remained stable sincethe morning of December 19. However, they reported hearing gunshots from past8:00 PM until dawn, and mutual gunfire was also heard this morning.

"The situation cannot be described ascalm. Gunshots were audible until morning, and this morning, we heard thesounds 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 elderlyman from Laung Chaung ward was killed by shell shrapnel. Moreover, two younggirls from the same ward and one man from Nyaung Pin Hla village were alsoseriously injured.

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

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

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