At least 124 junta soldiershave surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) following the gun fighting  in MaNyin Taung of northern Rathedaung township, 20 miles north of state capitalSittwe (Akyab).

At 7 am today, a clasherupted between the AA members and junta forces in Ma Nyin Taung and laterby  11 am, 124 junta soldiers surrendered to the AA, stated a reliablesource to Narinjara News.

"During the AA's attackon the soldiers, they became trapped and ultimately surrendered,” added thesource.

A local resident informedthat out of 200 junta soldiers, 124 surrendered and the remaining 70 leftstranded at the creek mouth near Pyein Taw village.

"They're preparing toleave as the barges have arrived there. They found themselves stranded near thecreek mouth. Warplanes are circling above and more barges are  arriving onthe location," informed the resident.

Even the Yae Soe Chaungtactical operation commander was also arrested, but Narinjara News cannotconfirm it.

Furthermore, atapproximately 1:30 pm  the barges en route from the mouth of Mayu river inRathedaung township to bring the soldiers, unleashed a series of artilleryshells and small arms attacks  on the villages, said a resident of Ma NyinTaung.

"Initially, two bargesarrived, followed by the next two. Currently, they are firing artillery shells.We are in hiding as the shells are landing close to our villages," headded.

On 15 January morning, the junta forces gathered inMa Nyin Taung and engaged in a brief clash with the AA members prompting localresidents to flee from their places.