The Arakan Army (AA) announced the successful rescue of nearly 100 people from Pauktaw Township, including monks, elderly individuals, children, and pregnant women. These individuals had been abducted and used as human shields and hostages by the Military Council troops.
At approximately 12:00 noon on November 21, a conflict erupted between the Military Council troops and the Arakan Army (AA) in some areas of Pauktaw Township, including the vicinity of Lawka Hteik Pan pagoda hill.
Since November 16, the Military Council troops have abducted nearly 100 local individuals, including monks from Pauktaw Township, to use them as hostages and human shields.
On the sixth day, November 21, the conflict unfolded as they attacked the locations where the Military Council troops were stationed in Pauktaw Township, making an effort to secure the safe evacuation of all hostages, according to the Arakan Army (AA).
The battle in Pauktaw Township, where hostages were successfully rescued, was intense, resulting in significant losses and casualties for the Military Council troops.
According to reports, the Arakan Army (AA) seized some of the enemy's weapons and ammunition, with casualties among AA members, as some lost their lives, and others were injured during the conflict.
It is reported that the Military Council troops have been indiscriminately firing not only in the areas where the battle occurred but also in areas where there was no battle, utilizing the air force, navy, artillery shells, and multiple rocket launchers.
The Arakan Army (AA) has consistently safeguarded the lives, homes, and wealth of the Rakhine people. They pledge to prevent and combat anyone causing harm to the people and have declared their intention to retaliate against the Military Council troops responsible for the killing of the Rakhine people.
AA persists in launching attacks against the remaining Military Council troops in Pauktaw township, concurrently making ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the remaining hostages, as indicated in the statement.
U Khaing Thukha, the spokesperson for the Rakhine Army (AA), informed Narinjara that around 200 Pauktaw residents have been abducted as hostages in Pauktaw township.
