Thousands of Mrauk-U residents flee on fears of fresh fighting

By Admin 22 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 December 2023, Mrauk-U

Thousands of local people in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U have reportedly fled to safer locations due to reports of the possibility of fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA).

Thousands of residents of Bandoola, Taungyat, Kanhla, Konethaetan and Shwetaung wards in Mrauk-U began temporarily abandoning their homes beginning December 21.

“Military tension between the military and AA is running high in Mrauk-U. Local people have fled to safer locations in fear of fighting. If fighting breaks out, the military trains heavy weapons and small arms fire on residential areas and arrests civilians on suspicion. This is the reason why locals fled to safer locations,” said one Mrauk-U resident.

A clash broke out between the military and the Arakan Army near Thetkyar Manaung Pagoda in Mrauk-U on December 13 after the ethnic armed group ambushed junta troops near Ngwetaungpauk Bridge on December 6.

Some pagodas and stupas in the ancient city of Mrauk-U’s cultural heritage zone were damaged by junta air and artillery strikes on December 13.

Regime forces were observed making military preparations in Mrauk-U following the fighting. They were also accused of indiscriminate heavy weapons and small arms fire, and of arresting some civilians, according to residents.

“Many elderly people and children fled to safer locations. Community elders warned local people to flee to safer locations due to the possibility of fighting between the military and AA in Mrauk-U,” said a social activist.

Fighting has continued to escalate in Arakan State and has spread to Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ann, Myebon, Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships, with the number of displaced people on the rise.