AA cautions villages along Taungup-Thandwe highway on junta’s airstrikes

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

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

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

On 15 February, the AA issued the warning to the villagers along Taungup-Thandwe highway. However, Narinjara News can not disclose the name of the village due to security reasons.

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

Taungup township, a district town, hosts the junta's MOC-5, which comprises subordinate battalions like 544th light infantry battalion, 346th light infantry battalion, Taungup district police forces and Myoma police station.

On 8 February, the junta forces  conducted airstrikes on Lay Taung Bway island near Kalar Yaung island under Taungup locality.

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

Earlier, the  junta forces banned the residents from 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 bound for Hmo Hin Taw and Taung Ywar villages in Taungup township. Additionally some boats were detained," said a Taungup resident.

On the night of 17 December last, many soldiers sustained injuries when the AA fighters attacked a convoy of military vehicles near Ta Pyawt village in the township.

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