Heavy weapons and small arms fire were reported along the Myanmar-Bangladeshi border in the northern part of Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, at around 5 a.m. on Friday, according to locals.
Heavy weapons and small arms fire from the Bangladeshi side were heard in Tamanthar, Kyeinchaung and Mingalarnyunt villages.
“We heard heavy weapons and small arms fire from Bangladeshi territory this morning. We are worried about our safety due to the gunfire. I don’t know why heavy weapons and small arms fire occurred,” said a resident of Tamanthar Village.
“At first, we were concerned for our safety when we heard gunfire. The military and Arakan Army (AA) have recently observed an informal ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. I think Bangladeshi authorities may be conducting military exercises. Gunfire is still heard,” said a resident of Mingalarnyunt Village.
DMG was unable to reach Maungdaw Township administrator U Kan Tun Aung for comment regarding locals’ reports of heavy weapons and small arms fire.
DMG continues to attempt to contact Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura and AA spokesman U Khaing Thuka regarding the matter.
The Maungdaw region was a site of military-AA hostilities earlier this year. In some of the fiercest fighting, some of the military’s Border Guard Force (BGF) outposts along the border were occupied by the AA.
The military counter-attacked with heavy weapons, fighter jets and helicopters during those battles, with mortar shells fired by the military falling into Bangladeshi territory, killing and injuring some Muslim IDPs living in the border area.
The Myanmar military and AA observed an informal ceasefire starting November 26, after months of renewed hostilities.
