Some Rakhine ethnic junta soldiers fled fromDhanyawadi naval base at Thit Pote Taung village under Kyaukphyu township, thatled the junta forces to chase and fire shots on nearby villages.

"The soldiers entered Kyan Chai village andstarted searching operations in the early morning hours. They left by  11am. It's unclear how they entered the village. About 30 soldiers left the baseby land and another 20 departed via the waterway," said a resident.

Those Rakhine ethnic junta soldiers are believed tohave fled on Thursday in the early hours. Following this, other soldiers chasedthem and also fired five gunshots in the mountains near Kyan Chai village andalso discharged firearms downhill.

On 14 February, two Rakhine women and one man, all belonging to the juntaforces, fled. Then on 15 February, three Rakhine junta soldiers escaped.

The military junta at Dhanyawadi base, located nearThit Pote Taung village under Kyaukphyu township, changed its top officials.

"People started fleeing since the artillery shells were fired by thesoldiers. Si Maw, Sit Taw, and Thit Pote Taung villages become almost deserted.We are receiving assistance from relatives in nearby villages, but it's adifficult situation here," said a villager.

Residents of Si Maw, Sit Taw and Thit Pote Taungvillages near Dhanyawadi base fled to Maday island. Nget Pyaw Chaung andKulabar villages are also facing aerial bombardments by the junta forces andmany residents had already left their villages.

Dhanyawadi naval base is four  miles away from Kyaukphyu township andabout 5.5 miles from Maday island, where the Chinese project is situated.

The initial attack on Dhanyawadi base near Thit Pote Taung village was launchedby the Arakan Army (AA) fighters at around 6 am on 8 January.

The AA fighters launched the second attack by firing improvised rockets atDhanyawadi base after some time.