The battlebetween the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces erupted this morning in Mrauk U,an ancient city of Arakan State, and the intense fighting continued for manyhours.

The localresidents informed that the fighting lasted for more than 5 hours. Both sidesused artillery shells.

At around 4 am onSunday, the AA members attacked the city police station and Thudaw Mamilitary camp located at the northern entrance gate to Mrauk U township.

"Asfar as the Mrauk U battle is concerned, the fighting started at 3:55 am. Thesmall gunshots stopped at around 9 am, but the army's heavy weapons continuedto fire till 10 am," they added.

The LIB 377 battalion, number 31 police battalion, LIB 540 battalion openedfire with heavy weapons targeting the concerned locations.

At least five civilians hailing from Wra Hong Daw village and Sin Cha Seike neighborhoodarea were hit by the heavy weapon-bullets which were shelled by the juntabattalions.

A youngMrauk U resident informed that due to the gun fighting many residents lefttheir places.

"Someresidents of Mrauk U had moved out of the city after the news of gun fightingspread a few days back. Now more people will flee as the gun fighting has takenplace in the locality, " he added.

Whencontacted at 9:59 am, the local residents informed  Narinjara News thatthe sound of gunfire had already stopped. However, some heavy weapons of thejunta forces are still making noises.

 Theongoing fighting between the AA members and military soldiers in Rakhine Statehas lately escalated  and it has covered the entire State.