Followingan attack by the Arakan Army (AA) on Ramree (Yanbye) township in Ramree islandof Rakhine State, where China's gas & oil pipeline project is situated, thefighting intensified.

"As of8 o'clock in the morning, the intense fighting persists between the AA fightersand junta forces. The sound of artillery shells and machine gun firing spread across the locality.

The AAfighters are launching attacks on soldiers stationed at Thein Taung hill-basedmilitary camp," said a Ramree resident.

Thein Taunghill-based camp, situated in south Okkala ward of  Ramree township, cameunder attacks by the AA fighters at 8 am on 24 January.

A localresident informed Narinjara News that during the fighting, several houses insouth Okkala ward, located at the base of Thein Taung mountain, caught firebecause of artillery shells fired by the junta forces.

"Atpresent, smoke is visible in the ward. The battle continued till  9am," he added.

On 23January at approximately 7 pm, the navy personnel launched around 10 artilleryshells targeting  Ramree town from the mouth of Ramree creek.

Also on 22January, the AA fired ten improvised rockets at the largest naval headquarterson the Rakhine coast near Kyaukphyu, resulting in casualties and damages.

In Ramreetownship, on 18 December 2023, there was a clash between junta forces and theAA fighters on the mountain, where Aung Chan Thar pagoda is located, which is200 meters south of the township.

Amid theconflict, the junta forces launched attacks using a range of weapons, includingjet fighters, helicopters from navy vessels and also hill-based battalions.Since the afternoon of 18 December, the residents from urban wards soughtrefuge in nearby villages.