Clash erupts between AA and fleeing soldiers in Ramree

 The junta soldiers, who  fled to navy ships during the battle to capture Ramree township by the Arakan Army (AA) fighters, clashed with them near Tha Pyu Chein village at around 3 pm on 12 March.

According to an AA statement,  following the 85-day offensive resulting in the capture of Ramree township on 11 March, many junta soldiers fled. The AA fighters apprehended some of them.

The  junta conducted airstrikes on villages under Ramree township, which  injured an elderly woman and destroyed four houses.

On 12 March, the junta forces launched intense airstrikes on Ramree township. The artillery shells were also fired from a navy barge.

"Today, a number of  warplanes deployed in Ramree township. I could not  keep track of the number of warships and their flights. Y-12 aircraft had  flown overhead twice. As for the jet fighters, the numbers are beyond estimation. The navy also directed fire towards Kyauk Chaung. In Tha Pyu Chein village, four houses were destroyed by the artillery shells. One cow is reported as being killed even though there was  none to sustain injuries,” said a local source.

The damaged houses are owned by U Tun Shwe, U Kyaw Tun, Daw Thein Sein Nu and U Maung Nyunt Tin from  Tha Pyu Chein village in Kyauk Chaung sub-township.

At 11 am on 11 March,  a jet fighter dropped three bombs in Lay Taung sub-township. A bomb landed in Nga Pyi Chaung village causing injury to Daw Ma Ohn Shwe's right leg. The AA appealed to the residents of Ramree not to enter their houses hurriedly.

It also stated that the landmine clearance operation will continue to ensure the  safety of  local people. The landmines were planted by the junta forces during the three months of fighting against the AA fighters.