Residents of Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya remain concerned over military regime’s statement

Hnin Nwe Ni, Narinjara News, 15 August 2024

A warning statement from the Arakan State military regime over the probable airstrikes has panicked the residents of Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships. Some residents even fled their places following the statement.

The statement issued on 11 August said that the junta forces were retaliating against the Arakan Army (AA) fighters in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya localities. It advised the residents to take their valuable items and leave the place to avoid any unwanted incident.

A woman from Kyauktaw informed Narinjara News that they were worried about the probable airstrikes by the junta soldiers.

“We came from Sittwe to escape the conflict and now we plan to move again,” added the lady.

The residents of Mrauk-U also expressed their anxieties.  A local resident informed that on the occasion of  Uposatha Day, he heard the sound of jet fighters flying overhead and took shelter in the makeshift bunker.

Some wealthier residents have already left to other places to avoid any kinds of airstrikes.

Meanwhile, the junta soldiers conducted an airstrike over Mrauk-U on 10 August that killed six civilians and injured 10 others.

In Minbya too, the residents become scared. A resident informed that an aircraft flew over many times and the children and old people were taken to  bomb shelters.

“After the junta’s airstrikes on Mrauk-U, we too felt scared,” added the resident.

AA spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha criticized the junta’s warning against civilians and urged them to remain vigilant. The junta may carry out attacks on civilians, he apprehended.

Currently, the AA controls nine major towns in Arakan State and they are launching offensives against key locations like Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe, Kyeintali town under Gwa township, Ann township and the 5th border guard police battalion in Maungdaw town.

Photograph caption: Some of those who fled Pauktaw township in November 2023 due to the renewed fighting.