The Arakan Army (AA) has asked the villages along Thandwe-Taungup highway in southern Rakhine State to prepare for aerialbombardments by the junta forces.

The residents informed that the AA issued a warningthat if their fighters  launch an offensive against the battalions andpolice stations under the 5th military operations command (MOC-5) in Taunguptownship, the soldiers may conduct airstrikes on any village.

"Once the AA fighters attack, the militarywarplanes may conduct airstrikes on the villages. So they asked the villagersto prepare in advance for such incidents and stay away from their houses inneed,” said a local woman.

On 15 February, the AA issued the warning to thevillagers along Taungup-Thandwe highway. However, Narinjara News can notdisclose the name of the village due to security reasons.

"The AA  warned of possible airstrikes. Somebomb shelters were also prepared. Some villagers were ready to escape fromtheir places," said another local woman.

Taungup township, a district town, hosts the junta'sMOC-5, which comprises subordinate battalions like 544th light infantrybattalion, 346th light infantry battalion, Taungup district police forces andMyoma police station.

On 8 February, the junta forces  conductedairstrikes on Lay Taung Bway island near Kalar Yaung island under Taunguplocality.

Airstrikes were also conducted near Pauk Inn villageunder Taungup township at 5:30 pm on 14 February by a jet fighter.

Earlier, the  junta forces banned the residentsfrom digging bomb shelters in their residential complexes.

The soldiers are still blocking all roads &waterways in Taungup locality and some residents were already detained.

"The junta forces also seized the ferries boundfor Hmo Hin Taw and Taung Ywar villages in Taungup township. Additionally someboats were detained," said a Taungup resident.

On the night of 17 December last, many soldierssustained injuries when the AA fighters attacked a convoy of military vehiclesnear Ta Pyawt village in the township.

Till date, the AA fighters have regained  controlover Tan Hlwe Ywar Ma town and Lamu police station in Taungup district, fromwhere the junta forces fled after the conflict began in November last year.Three Brotherhood Alliance continues  declaring that the AA fighters willmaintain its offensive to make the  Rakhine region junta-free.