124 junta soldiers surrender to AA in Ma Nyin Taung of Rathedaung

At least 124 junta soldiers have surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) following the gun fighting  in Ma Nyin Taung of northern Rathedaung township, 20 miles north of state capital Sittwe (Akyab).

At 7 am today, a clash erupted between the AA members and junta forces in Ma Nyin Taung and later by  11 am, 124 junta soldiers surrendered to the AA, stated a reliable source to Narinjara News.

"During the AA's attack on the soldiers, they became trapped and ultimately surrendered,” added the source.

A local resident informed that out of 200 junta soldiers, 124 surrendered and the remaining 70 left stranded at the creek mouth near Pyein Taw village.

"They're preparing to leave as the barges have arrived there. They found themselves stranded near the creek mouth. Warplanes are circling above and more barges are  arriving on the location," informed the resident.

Even the Yae Soe Chaung tactical operation commander was also arrested, but Narinjara News cannot confirm it.

Furthermore, at approximately 1:30 pm  the barges en route from the mouth of Mayu river in Rathedaung township to bring the soldiers, unleashed a series of artillery shells and small arms attacks  on the villages, said a resident of Ma Nyin Taung.

"Initially, two barges arrived, followed by the next two. Currently, they are firing artillery shells. We are in hiding as the shells are landing close to our villages," he added.

On 15 January morning, the junta forces gathered in Ma Nyin Taung and engaged in a brief clash with the AA members prompting local residents to flee from their places.