- Web Master
- October 19, 2024
Min
Shin Saw, Narinjara News, 7 October 2024
The
military junta ordered the immediate evacuation of seven villages near the
Ann-Sittwe road under Ann township of Arakan State and many residents started
leaving their places.
The
evacuation order was meant for Kyaung Phyu Kwin, Yat Thar, Kywe Tha Lin, Pyin Taw
Gyi, Nay Kar Ywar Thit, Gway Kine, and Kyet villages. All these villages are
near Mel Taung, where the gun fighting is going on.
"We
didn't have time to take anything with us. We were told that the airstrikes
would be carried out and so the villagers fled. The fighting around the
villages was intense, and the airstrikes were reported near the conflict area,”
said a local resident.
On
6 October, the western command ordered the evacuation of villages around Mel
Taung, where the fighting was going on between the junta soldiers and
Arakan Army (AA) fighters.
"Some
villagers fled to Ann town, while others went to nearby villages. I believe
that more than 600 people fled," added the resident.
The
families without national registration cards did not flee to Ann town and
instead they sought refuge in other areas where the junta forces are absent.
The
evacuated villages are primarily inhabited by Arakanese and Chin people. Kyaung
Phyu Kwin village has 50 households, Nay Kar Ywar Thit has 20 households, Gway
Kwin has 25 households, Yat Thar has 35 households, Kywe Tha Lin
has 30 households, Pyin Taw Gyi has 25 households and Kyet gives support
to 20 households.
The
junta established Taw Hein Taung tactical operation command and Mel Taung
tactical operation command near the Ann-Sittwe road as the primary defenses to
prevent the collapse of the western command. However, the AA fighters captured
Taw Hein Taung tactical operation command.
Later, they launched another offensive against Mel Taung tactical operation command. It resulted in intense fighting and the junta soldiers conducted a series of airstrikes over the area.
The
ongoing fighting now reaches the western command. In September, the AA fighters
started offensives using artillery shells and drones, which led to many
casualties in the command base. (File photo)