Escalating Conflict Across more than 10 Villages Causes Thousands to Flee from Maungdaw Township

Escalating Conflict Across more than 10 Villages Causes Thousands to Flee from Maungdaw Township

In Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, thousands of residents from over 10 villages have sought refuge in safer locations, due to the intense fighting between the Military Council troops and the Arakan Army (AA).

On the morning of November 28, the Arakan Army (AA) initiated an offensive against the Baw Di Kone border guard outpost on the Ah Ngu Maw-Maungdaw road, leading to intense fighting. According to local reports, the Baw Di Kone camp was captured by the AA in the evening.

"Even before the attack on that outpost, nearby residents had started to flee. Yesterday more people fled. Only middle-aged individuals are left in the village," stated a man from Shwe Baho village.

Thousands of local residents from villages including Ngwe Taung, Shwe Taung, Thar Yar Kone, Ma Gyee Kone, Zay Tan, Thit Taw Pyin, Ywar Tar Yar, Thi Ho Aye, 4 mile (Muslim), Thar Si, Wai Thar Li, Shwe Baho, and Kaing Gyee in Maungdaw Township are fleeing to safety.

Residents stated that, amidst the fighting Junta troops indiscriminately launched artillery shells and small arms fire into the villages, prompting them to flee.

On November 25, a man from Kaing Gyee (Rakhine) village was killed, and a girl from Tha Yae Kone Baung village was injured by artillery shells fired from the Mawyawadi tactical command center. On November 27, a man from Aung Thukha village was injured by gunfire from the No.6 Border Guard Police Division based in Inn Din.

"Yesterday, the fighting was intense throughout the entire day. There was continuous artillery shelling and small arms fire until around 9:00 p.m. Today, the sounds of weapons are no longer audible. Baw Di Kone outpost has also been captured by the AA. I can see it burning," reported another resident of Maungdaw.

DMG is currently in contact with ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha to seek confirmation regarding the capture of the Baw Di Kone outpost.

On November 26, the Arakan Army (AA) launched an attack on the Kaing Gyee police outpost in Maungdaw, and the conflict between the two sides continues to be intense.

"I've been staying at a relative's house and relying on them for food for about four days. Since agriculture is practiced here, vegetables are not scarce, but obtaining rice and medicine is a very difficult.If the military council persists in closing the road, the situation could worsen," expressed a local man from Kaing Gyee village.

The Arakan Army (AA) has captured four border guard outposts of the Military Council during the ongoing Rakhine war, which began for the third time since November 13.

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