AA rescues 12,000 civilians trapped in Maungdaw amid ongoing fighting

Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 11 August 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) fighters rescued over 12,000 civilians trapped in Maungdaw township, located on the western border of Arakan State, amid the ongoing intense fighting. The rescue operation was conducted from 7 to  9 August.

On the last day, the AA fighters rescued over 7,000 civilians, including Arakanese, Hindus, Rohingya Muslims and other ethnic groups, from Pan Taw Pyin, Ka Nyin Tan and Nyaung Chaung villages in Maungdaw locality.

On the previous day,  they rescued over 1,500 Muslims from Ka Nyin Tan, Bo Hmue, Phay Zi, Aye Tar Li Yar, Har Bi, Shwe Zar (Zay Di Pyin) and Kat Pa Kaung villages. Some residents were also rescued from wards number 1, 2 & 5 of Maungdaw town.

Similarly on the first day, they  rescued over 4,000 civilians from La Thar ward in Maungdaw.

“The AA is continuously rescuing those who were used as human shields by the junta forces and others trapped in Maungdaw. In recent weeks, the residents are fleeing through various ways,” said an AA statement.

The rescued individuals were brought to safe locations and offered the food and medical care.

"The AA fighters are coming into the town and if there’s a fight, we’ll be caught in the middle. That’s why we fled. They are also helping us by transporting elderly and sick people on motorbikes," a Muslim resident told Narinjara News.

There were also casualties due to disruptions caused by the junta soldiers during the AA’s rescue operations.

On 9 August, during a rescue operation, the junta forces and armed Muslims ambushed and opened fire  with small arms. Kech Mar Ni, a 22-year-old Hindu woman from Ywar Thit ward of  Maungdaw town, was killed by a gunshot wound near her abdomen.

Similarly on 7 August, U Abdula, a 40-year-old Muslim man from La Thar ward in Maungdaw town, stepped on a landmine, planted by the junta forces, in a field near the road.

Lately, the AA fighters penetrated Maungdaw and captured almost the entire area from the junta forces and Muslim armed groups. Now they are accelerating the offensive to fully secure the town.