- Web Master
- September 04, 2023
The clash between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta
forces broke out at around 9 am on Friday near Shauk Chaung village in the
vicinity of Dhanyawadi naval base.
A Shauk Chaung resident described the situation,
saying that the soldiers arrived in two military vehicles, seemingly to deliver
onions.
“It was an unprecedented act, as the soldiers had
never done such a thing earlier. Their visit appeared to be a guise for
providing support or conducting some forms of investigation. Not long ago, they
had inspected the village. They directed the residents to disclose if they
identify any member of the AA in their locality. As they left the
village, we heard a loud explosion, followed by the sound of
gunfire," he added.
Following that, the residents of Shauk Chaung got
scared and left the village.
Another woman shared that upon hearing gunshots, one
of her sisters, who just gave birth to a baby, became extremely frightened.
“For our safety, we had to find a hiding place and
decided to flee. Soon we reached the nearby villages. Now only a few men remain
in our village," she added.
It has been reported that the villagers have not yet
returned to their places.
Three Brotherhood Alliance also issued a statement
indicating the clash on 22 December near Dhanyawadi naval base as the soldiers
entered the AA’s operational zone.
The AA members targeted the vehicles with RPGs,
resulting in one vehicle being struck and causing substantial casualties among
the junta troops.
However, as both sides remain silent over the
casualties, no specific information can be obtained.
Situated near Dhanyawadi naval base, Shauk
Chaung village gives shelter to 100 houses (families) with a total population
of over 300. The residents are primarily farmers, many of whom also raise cows
and pigs.