AA accuses regime of arson attack in war-torn Pauktaw

By Admin 21 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
21 December 2023, Pauktaw

Homes in Panthee Ward and Ward-3 in Arakan State’s Pauktaw, where fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) is intensifying, were seen burning at about 1 p.m. on Thursday, locals said.

A witness said that although small arms fire was exchanged between the two sides, there was no heavy weapons fire, so it may have been an arson attack.

“The Myanmar Navy vessels didn’t fire mortar shells today. We saw many homes burning. I think it was an arson attack committed by the junta soldiers,” the eyewitness told DMG.

It has been more than one month since fighting broke out between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Arakan State’s Pauktaw town on November 16 following the AA’s seizure of the central police station in Pauktaw.

Junta artillery strikes fired from a Myanmar Navy vessel in the Kaladan River reportedly caused a blaze at the Myoma Market in Ponnagyun town on November 24 that engulfed more than 300 stalls.

AA fighters have accused regime soldiers of firing heavy weapons and launching arson attacks on homes and shops in Pauktaw.

Fierce fighting was reported in Pauktaw on December 20, with the junta increasing its military presence including warships, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement.

“We heard multiple [bouts of] small arms fire yesterday. The Myanmar Navy vessels in Sittwe fired mortar shells into Pauktaw,” said another resident in Pauktaw.

Two junta ships docked near Nantat Island in the Pauktaw River unleashed heavy weapons and small arms fire on Pauktaw for about 10 minutes, the Three Brotherhood Alliance’s statement added.

The two sides have been fighting daily to gain control of the town, with the regime conducting joint army, navy and air force operations.

Thousands of residents of Pauktaw and nearby villages have been displaced by the ongoing fighting.

Though there have undoubtedly been civilian casualties during the battle for Pauktaw, and there are still residents held hostage by the regime, it remains difficult to ascertain reliable figures. DMG continues to attempt to identify the number of civilian casualties and residents detained by the regime.