Fierce fighting erupted this morning on Taungup-Thandwe highway near Taungup Township of southern Rakhine State between the Arakan Army (AA)and junta forces, said the local residents.

The clashes took place nine miles uphill between BarYae village (where the primary substation is situated) and Moke village, whichis approximately nine  miles south of Taungup township.

A resident revealed that he came to know about theclash after the AA fighters attacked a convoy of junta soldiers with landminesat around 5:30 am on Wednesday.

"The uphill stretch between Bar Yae  and Mokevillages  becomes  a battleground following the AA fighter’s attackon military vehicles leaving Taungup," added the resident.

“We heard continuous explosions similar to artillery shelling,” confirmed aresident of Kan Day village.

“It is true that a clash erupted near Bar Yae village.We could  hear the sound of firing till 7:30 am," said a resident ofThet Ka Pyin village.

In December, a passenger car and two military vehicles carrying 50 soldierswere attacked by the AA fighters with landmines near Moke village, while theywere returning to Taungup, resulting in high casualties among soldiers.