Nearly 300 residents flee as clashes erupted near Dhanyawadi naval base in Kyauk Phyu

 Nearly 300 residents fled their area after a clash near the military council's Dhanyawadi naval base, adjacent to Thit Poke Taung village under Kyauk Phyu township of  Rakhine State erupted.

The clash between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces broke out at around 9 am on Friday near Shauk Chaung village in the vicinity of Dhanyawadi naval base.

A Shauk Chaung resident described the situation, saying that the soldiers arrived in two military vehicles, seemingly to deliver onions.

“It was an unprecedented act, as the soldiers had never done such a thing earlier. Their visit appeared to be a guise for providing support or conducting some forms of investigation. Not long ago, they had inspected the village. They directed the residents to disclose if they identify  any member of the AA in their locality. As they left the village, we heard a loud explosion, followed by the sound of  gunfire," he added.

Following that, the residents of Shauk Chaung got scared and left the village.

Another woman shared that upon hearing gunshots, one of her sisters, who just gave birth to a baby, became extremely frightened.

“For our safety, we had to find a hiding place and decided to flee. Soon we reached the nearby villages. Now only a few men remain in our village," she added.

It has been reported that the villagers have not yet returned to their places.

Three Brotherhood Alliance also issued a statement indicating the clash on 22 December near Dhanyawadi naval base as the soldiers entered the AA’s operational zone.

The AA members targeted the vehicles with RPGs, resulting in one vehicle being struck and causing substantial casualties among the junta troops.

However, as both sides remain silent over the casualties, no specific information can be obtained.

Situated near  Dhanyawadi naval base, Shauk Chaung village gives shelter to 100 houses (families) with a total population of over 300. The residents are primarily farmers, many of whom also raise cows and pigs.