AA evacuates locals trapped by fighting in Taungup

By Admin 20 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 November 2024, Taungup

The Arakkha Army (AA) has reportedly been evacuating local people who were trapped by fighting between Myanmar military and AA forces in Arakan State’s Taungup since November 16, according to sources on the ground.

The AA captured a junta artillery battalion on Mt. Pan Myauk and the University of Taungup on November 3, and has been assisting locals who want to leave the increasingly battle-worn town.

“The AA is evacuating people from the occupied side of Taungup and other areas. The residents have reached safer locations. The AA is also evacuating the remaining people. It is hard to say how many people the AA might have evacuated,” said a resident of Taungup.

Among the evacuees were many women, children and the elderly. It is also reported that there are still people trapped in downtown Taungup as the fighting continues.

Clashes between the military and AA were reported near the No. 5 Military Operations Command, and Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 346 and 544 on Wednesday.

“The AA is firing rockets at junta soldiers and military camps in downtown Taungup,” said another Taungup resident.

The regime, which continues to lose ground, is conducting airstrikes and artillery attacks targeting residential neighbourhoods and other civilian areas.

Some residents are trapped near the junta battalions and Taungup’s Theintaung Ward, where fighting is raging.

Ko Maung Myint Aye, a man in his 30s who was trapped in Taungup, died after being hit by a bullet on November 17.