LuHtet Naing, Narinjara News, 5 September 2024

Anintense fighting broke out again on 4 September between the junta forces andthe Arakan Army (AA) fighters in rural areas between Kyeintali town and KularPyin village, located in the southernmost part of Gwa township in Arakan State.The junta soldiers also launched airstrikes over the area.

Thefighting that started at around 10 am took place near Sar Chet and Kaing Khonvillages. As the junta soldiers carried out airstrikes, many villagers lefttheir places.

“Therewas no fighting for more than two weeks, but suddenly it returned. The AAfighters  attacked where the junta soldiers were quiet. They knew that amilitary column from Kular Pyin moved through the area. Later the junta forceslaunched airstrikes,” sad a local resident.

SarChet, Kaing Khon and Kular Pyin are neighboring villages in Kyeintali areas.Although the junta soldiers retreated to Kular Pyin, the residents said thatthe  patrolling and ambushes continued to take place along the roadbetween Kyeintali and Kular Pyin.

On 4September,  during these patrols the  junta soldiers clashed with theAA fighters. The AA has already taken control over  Kyeintali town andlaunched an offensive on Kular Pyin.

"SarChet, Kaing Khon, Kyauk Par Sat and Kular Pyin villages were attacked and latertaken over by the AA. The junta has lost control over  the areas. Theywere moving towards Kular Pyin during night hours, so there were fewer ambushes. The junta soldiers launched the airstrikes as they thought theAA fighters entered the villages. The AA fighters  ambushed the militaryvehicles as they continued advancing," said another resident.

Dueto the ongoing airstrikes, the residents reported that they could hearexplosions near Sar Chet and Kaing Khon villages. They are apprehensive aboutcivilian casualties in those areas.

Sinceheavy gun fighting took place in Kyeintali town on 10 August, the AA fightershad taken control over the town and they are now advancing towards Gwa.

Thejunta soldiers are fiercely resisting the AA fighters by deploying its army,navy and air force personnel heavily.

Photograph:Kular Pyin bridge and Sar Chet village