Intense clashes erupt between AA and junta in Taungup of southern Rakhine

Fierce fighting erupted this morning on  Taungup-Thandwe highway near Taungup Township of southern Rakhine State between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces, said the local residents.

The clashes took place nine miles uphill between Bar Yae village (where the primary substation is situated) and Moke village, which is approximately nine  miles south of Taungup township.

A resident revealed that he came to know about the clash after the AA fighters attacked a convoy of junta soldiers with landmines at around 5:30 am on Wednesday.

"The uphill stretch between Bar Yae  and Moke villages  becomes  a battleground following the AA fighter’s attack on military vehicles leaving Taungup," added the resident.

“We heard continuous explosions similar to artillery shelling,” confirmed a resident of Kan Day village.

“It is true that a clash erupted near Bar Yae village. We could  hear the sound of firing till 7:30 am," said a resident of Thet Ka Pyin village.

In December, a passenger car and two military vehicles carrying 50 soldiers were attacked by the AA fighters with landmines near Moke village, while they were returning to Taungup, resulting in high casualties among soldiers.