3 civilians killed, 6 injured as artillery shells struck Mrauk-U

The junta troops deliberately targeted residential areas under Mrauk-U, the ancient city of Rakhine State, with artillery shells on 24 December  resulting in the death of three civilians and injuries to six others, said Three Brotherhood Alliance.

The deceased individuals hail from Sin Cha Seik ward of Mrauk-U township. The victim married couple is identified as  U San Maung (35) and Ma Hla Hla (29). Their 5-year-old daughter also sustained injuries.

"The Sin Cha Seik ward family was struck by an artillery shell leading to the loss of life and properties. The husband and wife died on the spot. The daughter almost lost her arm. She is now undergoing treatment at the hospital," said a Mrauk-U resident.

According to the Three Brotherhood Alliance statement, the Mrauk-U-based 540th light infantry battalion intentionally fired the artillery shells at around 3 pm.

The explosion of an artillery shell at Sin Cha Seik ward resulted in the killing of the married couple, where the daughter sustained injuries. Another individual also sustained serious injuries and he eventually died.

Many residential buildings were also damaged by the artillery shelling by soldiers. The injured individuals include two men and one woman along with a minor girl.

Two artillery shells also exploded at Ywar Haung Taw village, where a 40-year-old  man sustained injuries.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, a clash broke out between the Arakan Army (AA) members and junta soldiers, stationed at Ngwe Taung Pauk police station and Thu Taw Ma Taung camp, at Ngwe Taung Pauk bridge in Mrauk-U locality.

Following the clash, many civilians were deliberately targeted by the soldiers with artillery shells and the gun fighting continued till  6 am.

Both the  540th and  377th light infantry battalions launched over 100 artillery shells targeting Mrauk-U town and its surrounding villages.

At approximately 1:30 pm on 24 December, over 70 soldiers from the 377th light infantry battalion forcefully entered Aung Mingalar ward and took six local residents as human shields. Subsequently at 3:10 pm, they advanced to  Bandoola ward from the cemetery and continued firing small arms. They arrested three  more locals.

Meanwhile at around 12 noon on Sunday, nearly 50 junta soldiers arrived at Mya Taung jetty in Buthidaung township in two vehicles. They threatened the local residents and confiscated essential food products from them.

On 23 December 23 at around 11:50 pm, more than 30 soldiers entered number five ward of  Buthidaung in two military vehicles and abducted one local man. They also looted a diamond ring, MMK 300,000 and a bottle of gasoline from his residence.

The military council launched a drone attack on Taw Kan village under Sittwe township at 12 noon on Sunday.

At around 10 am on the same day, an artillery shell was fired by the 550th light infantry battalion based in Ponna Kyunt township. It  exploded in Yay Phyu Kan village and resulted in damaging two houses, added the statement.