Some Rakhine troops fled from the Dhanyawadi naval base near the Thitpotetaung area of Kyaukphyu Township, triggering Military Council troops to fire warning shots in nearby villages as they conducted their search.

"At around 4:00 am soldiers entered Kyanchai village and conducted a comprehensive search, departing around 11:00 am. No one noticed how they entered the village., Approximately 30 soldiers departed via land, while roughly 20 others left via waterway”, a local told Narinjara.

Locals report that Rakhine ethnic Junta soldiers were believed to have fled around 2:00 am on February 15th, prompting Junta forces to pursue them. During the search, five warning gunshots were fired in the mountains near Kyanchai village, with additional firearm discharges observed during their descent downhill.

On February 14th, two Rakhine women and one man, all affiliated with the Junta forces, fled. Subsequently, on February 15th, three Rakhine ethnic Junta soldiers also fled.

According to locals, the Junta has reportedly made changes among its top officials assigned at the Dhanyawadi naval base this month.

"People have been fleeing ever since artillery shells were launched at neighboring villages of the naval base. Simaw, Sittaw, and Thitpotetaung have turned nearly empty. Though we are getting support from relatives in nearby villages, the situation remains difficult”, a resident said.

Residents from the three aforementioned villages near the Dhanyawadi naval base are seeking refuge on Maday Island, while Ngetpyawchaung and Kulabar villages face aerial bombardments by Junta forces, forcing villagers to evacuate.

The Dhanyawadi naval base lies approximately 4 miles from Kyaukphyu Township and around 5 and a half miles from Maday Island, where a Chinese development project is underway.

The Arakan Army (AA) initiated an attack on the Dhanyawadi naval base around 6:00 AM on January 8th.