In the past few days, several residents of Kyauktaw in Arakan State have been leaving the town out of concern for potential airstrikes from the junta.
Residents report that certain individuals in urban wards are temporarily departing the town due to fears of more airstrikes on Kyauktaw.
A woman living in the area informed Narinjara News, "Our friends are leaving the town, and individuals from other wards are departing as well. They are worried about the danger of airstrikes.“
She observed that the town hasn't been deserted completely; merely a handful of families are departing, anxious that Kyauktaw might become a target with the nearby conflict close to the state capital, Sittwe.
Another woman living in Kyauktaw stated, "There is also conflict happening in Sittwe. With the conflict escalating, airstrikes are also hitting rural regions in Ponnagyun. We fear that Kyauktaw may be the next target.”
Residents say that there is presently a clash involving shelling and small arms fire between junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) in Wah Bo, Min Hla, and Nyo Yaung Chaung, located on the outskirts of Sittwe.
Concerning this, the AA’s announcement from January 27 noted, "Daily incidents of shelling, sniper fire, and drone strikes have occurred from both parties around Sittwe."
A source affiliated with the Arakan People's Government administration informed Narinjara News that certain Kyauktaw residents are indeed leaving the town temporarily over worries regarding the effects of the conflict in Sittwe.
"They are not departing the town in large numbers. I’ve seen several families relocating to countryside regions," the source stated.
On January 11, the junta executed three airstrikes on crowded regions in Kyauktaw, resulting in the deaths of at least nine civilians and injuries to over 10, as reported by the AA.
Furthermore, on the night of October 10, 2024, the junta's air force struck Kyauktaw with bombs, resulting in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to over 20.
In recent times, speculation has circulated that the junta intends to conduct additional airstrikes on Kyauktaw, causing residents to feel anxious and fearful.
Some have shut their stores and are remaining at home, living in dread.
The defeated junta is carrying out airstrikes in the liberated townships of Arakan State to weaken the authority of the Arakan People's Government.
Airstrikes have resulted in numerous casualties, affecting not only innocent Arakanese civilians but also prisoners of war and their families, who are being well looked after by the AA.
On January 18, the junta carried out airstrikes on a POW detention facility close to Yan Chaung village in Mrauk-U Township, resulting in the deaths of 28 individuals, including women from the POWs' families, and injuring 25 more, as reported by the AA.
