- Web Master
- September 25, 2020
Narinjara
News, 16 October 2024
The
intense fighting in northern Gwa township, located in the southern-most part of
Arakan State, forced many residents to flee towards Gwa town, said local
residents.
But
due to the closure of junta's military checkpoint, those displaced residents
were compelled to wait for the whole day there before being allowed to proceed
"Drones
were hovering overhead, and the junta forces wouldn’t let us pass. We fled from
the north to the south of Gwa township with around 50 motorcycles. Over a
hundred people had to wait for the entire day, surrounded by the sound of
artillery shelling," said a fleeing resident.
The
checkpoint that prevented the displaced residents from moving on is located at
Ywar Thit Kone bridge on the Gwa-Thandwe road.
"The
checkpoint was closed from morning until 6 pm. It reopened around 6:30 pm and
then only the villagers can move on
The
trapped residents came from Ku Toet Lay, Tha Byu Chaung, Kyway Chai and
Taing Kyoe villages.
Fierce
fighting is going on between the junta soldiers and Arakan Army fighters in the
vicinity of those villages.
Now
the junta forces are conducting airstrikes which scared the villagers.
"The
fighting is fierce and airstrikes are also being carried out. Many bombs fell
on the villages. So the villagers no longer dare to stay in their places. So
they are fleeing for safer locations,” added the resident.
The
displaced individuals are now facing difficulties as their cars and motorbikes
are being blocked by the junta soldiers three furlongs along the route from
Ywar Thit Kone village to Ah Lel Chaung pagoda.