NarinjaraNews, 29 September 2022

At least20 junta soldiers, who were carrying rations for the military camp, were killedin an Arakan Army ambush on Thursday, said a source close to AA.  

“A column of 30 soldiers came to Buddawvillage in Ponna Kyunt township in the morninghours where the AA members targeted them. No lessthan 20 junta soldiers died on the spot in the attack that lasted foran hour,” added the source.

Both the armedgroups used small and heavyarms. Local people could hear the sound ofgunshots for an hour.

The AA membersinitially blocked the route leading to the armycamp. As there was a shortage of rations, the soldiers wentto fetch the items. On their return, they face the AA attack.

“Two army vehicles were used to bring rationsyesterday, but the AA members intercepted the vehiclesand seized the entire rations. Today morning, the soldiers tried tobring rations from the mountain range, but many of them had to lose their lives,” he stated.

Soon after theincident, the 539-battalion based near Kan Souk bridge of Kyauk Taw townshipfired many shells in the neighboring areas for several hours.

“We  left our village in the morning hoursbefore the fighting took place. We noticed unusualmovement of soldiers in the area. Many AA members were also in the same locality. Later we heard the sound of gunshots,”informed a resident of Boddaw village.

Over 1000 people fromthree villages namely Kun Own Su, Boddaw and Wrat Nyo Daung fled their places.

Narinjara News contactedAA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha and Rakhine State security and borderaffairs minister Colonel Kyaw Thura regarding the incident, butthe phones did not reach to them.

A series of battlesbetween the military council army personnel and AA members have taken place invarious parts of Rakhine in recent days.

AA members have restricted the transportation routes to several armycamps. On the other hand, the junta authorities have cut off many public roadsacross Arakan State to prevent supplies to AA bases. Many waterways have alsobeen restricted and the soldiers continue checking the passengers.