Thinzar Nwe — Combat in Taungup, a town in southern Arakan State, has temporarily stopped for three days, as the number of residents leaving has increased to tens of thousands.

“Every day, individuals are escaping to neighboring regions. Some individuals are fleeing to the mainland in their cars. Yesterday, around 15 vehicles departed for the mainland. The AA now controls the checkpoints in Taungup previously held by the junta, while junta forces have established positions in certain parts of the town. Violence may erupt in the town at any moment. The fighting has temporarily stopped for three days,” a resident informed Narinjara News.

Yesterday, a local resident reported that a group of elderly individuals, women, and children from Taungup who were displaced traveled by car across the mountains towards Padaung and Pyay.

During the short three-day break in warfare, certain inhabitants escaped to the main island, while others found shelter in surrounding towns.

“The fighting is expected to resume soon, so they are fleeing as quickly as possible. Some individuals have driven over the mountains to the mainland, while others have found refuge in villages close by. There are still numerous residents in the town who have not evacuated. Many thousands have already fled," the resident mentioned.

 The military regime is carrying out air attacks primarily focused on villages close to Taungup town.

In Hpon Nyo Leik village, around 40 houses were destroyed by airstrikes from the junta's Y-12 aircraft on November 14, along with half of the houses in Yan Kho village and six houses in Thein Taung ward of the town, as reported by a displaced monk from Taungup to Narinjara News.

“Hpon Nyo Leik village was entirely devastated by junta airstrikes on November 14. Approximately half of Yan Kho village was destroyed by fire, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. Around six houses in Thein Taung ward, located in the town's urban area, were also demolished,” the monk reported.

Local residents report that in the Taungup city area, Muslim soldiers who have military training are stationed at the Si Pin intersection, while junta snipers are located in bank and government buildings.