Artillery shelling kills 5, injures 2 civilians in 2 Rakhine townships

 Five civilians were killed and two others injured because of artillery shelling by the junta forces in two townships of Rakhine State.

One man and two women were killed as the junta soldiers dropped a number of bombs on Zay Haung Pine ward of Minbya at around 11 am on Tuesday, said a local resident.

"Since the town has been captured, we were allowed to enter at a specific time. The people can move on specific conditions. The bombs were dropped taking the time into consideration,” added the resident.

Ponnagyun Youths Association (PYA) informed Narinjara News that on 8 March, one man and one woman were killed. Two women were also injured as an artillery shell launched by the junta's Par Da Leik battalion hit Tan Swel village under  Ponnagyun township.

"They were fleeing from their places. They returned because the village was peaceful. The boats were docked at Tan Swel creek jetty on Kaladan river. An artillery shell struck as they arrived at the jetty. Two women, including the boat driver, were killed, and two others injured,” he said.  

During a press conference held on 4 March, the Arakan Army (AA) stated that from 13 November 2023  to 18 February 2024, 111 civilians were killed and 357  injured due to the artillery shelling and small arms firing by the  junta soldiers.