Conflicts erupt at Taung Shay mountain tactical operation command base

 The Arakan Army (AA) continues its offensive at Taung Shay mountain tactical operation command base, situated in Tinma village in upper Kyauktaw township of Rakhine State. This morning, the clash intensified as the junta forces used warplanes and helicopters against the AA members.

A Kyauktaw resident informed Narinjara News that the conflict was going on for a week now. However, the intensity increased from 6 pm on 31 December with the sound of shelling and artillery firing till  11:30 am on 1 January.

"At Taung Shay mountain, the clash intensified at 6 pm on Sunday.  From 6 to 9 pm, the 9th military operations command (MOC-9) came to  support the soldiers  by launching artillery shells. It continued for the whole night. The shooting resumed at 5 am on Monday. One can hear the response of artillery shelling from the mountain," he explained.

The junta forces received support from a jet fighter in the morning hours and by  10 am a helicopter was also deployed to help the soldiers.

"At approximately 9 am, the jet fighter arrived and launched the attack. Later I witnessed a helicopter hovering and also firing. Currently, the situation in Kyauktaw township is calm. However,  80 percent of the residents had  fled the town areas," he stated.

On 25 December, the AA continued its offensive to capture the junta's Taung Shay mountain tactical operation commander base, where about 20 Tinma villagers were arrested and later killed. Moreover, many junta soldiers had surrendered to the AA after its members captured many small outposts within the Taung Shay mountain tactical operation command base.

On 26 December in the evening hours, two warplanes had arrived and started firing which was followed by another attack on 27 December. Around 8 am  on 30 December, the junta's MOC-9 in Kyauktaw township continuously fired a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) from the Taung Shay mountain.

Three Brotherhood Alliance recently reported that junta forces were  carrying out airstrikes on Taung Shay mountain along with its  surrounding villages under Kyauktaw township. As a result, many local residents fled from their places.

The tactical operation commander base, located on the bank of Kaladan river, has been targeting civilians with artillery shelling. The junta is trying its best to prevent the base from falling, stated by a Three Brotherhood Alliance source.