Junta forces launch artillery shelling triggering explosions in downtown areas of Minbya

On 2 January in the early morning hours, the residents informed Narinjara News that the artillery shells, fired by the junta forces, exploded in Minbya Myoma market, near the hospital and residential areas, resulting in some damages.

"At around 3 am, we heard the sound of  continuous firing of artillery shells. The junta troops, stationed in Kyaing mountain of  Minbya township, fired artillery shells for more than an hour. They targeted residential wards without any conflict going on in the locality," said a woman from Minbya township.

A young resident of Minbya reported that the artillery shells struck on the roof of Minbya Myoma market building and exploded in Min Bar Gyi ward causing damage to a house.

“An artillery shell struck Myoma market and another hit Min Bar Gyi ward, resulting in destruction of a house," he added.

A local elder stated that the artillery shells exploded near Minbya hospital, damaging the lebbeck and other nearby trees. Another shell exploded in Kyee Phyu village.

"The military personnel are now targeting the Rakhine people. They haven't attacked the AA members and they  even do not dare to do so. Instead they are targeting peaceful individuals. Every day the civilians are losing their lives. I just don't understand it anyway,” he added.

He also stated that as some houses & public buildings were damaged from the artillery shell- firing, there were no reports of human (or animal) casualties.

The junta forces stationed at Kyaing mountain of Minbya township are firing artillery shells into the urban areas and nearby villages, which compelled the residents to evacuate their places.

During the AA attack on the junta's Myaung Bway police station, situated between Minbya and Mrauk-U localities, the soldiers fired artillery shells over  residential areas from their position above Kyaing mountain.

On 1 January, the junta forces fired artillery shells over  residential wards of  Mrauk-U locality without any conflict, which resulted in the killing of a lady and injuring  six others.

The woman who succumbed to injuries is Daw Oo Thein Nu (50 years old), who hailed from Shwe Gu Taung ward of  Mrauk-U township.

The injured individuals include  U Win Myint Aung (59), U Nga Phyu Taung (50), U Win Htay (41), Me Nyein Win (22), Daw Khin May Thein (54) and Ko Min Thein Soe (18) and all of them live in Shwe Gu Taung ward.