The Arakan Army (AA) is currently conducting demining operations to protect the local population in Paletwa Township in Chin State. According to reports, the displaced locals will only be called back after the demining.
A local displaced person from Paletwa said, “Paletwa is relatively peaceful now. There are no more bombings. But the displaced people have not been called back yet. The AA is now clearing mines in every corner of the region. They said that the displaced people will only be recalled when the demining is completed and then they will be escorted back to their homes.”
The Arkan Army began its military offensive in the Paletwa area on 13 November 2023, and after 62 days (two months) of fighting, it has taken control of the entire township.
In a statement released on 14 January, the ethnic army said it had been able to capture all military positions, including the Infantry Battalion 289 based in Paletwa, making the entire Paletwa region, including the town of Paletwa, a military council-free zone.
Residents of Paletwa region have been forced to flee their homes since 2018 and 2019, when armed clashes between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army began.
A displaced woman from Paletwa, who had to live in difficult conditions in IDP camps for an extended period of time, expressed her joy at the capture of Paletwa by the AA and her expectation to return home soon.
“Life in the IDP camps is very hard. Everything, including food and living conditions, is difficult. But we have had to stay. I am happy that they have taken Paletwa. I want to go back to my homeland. At least there we can work and feed ourselves freely. We are very grateful to the AA,” she said.
According to reports, the Myanmar Army has heavily mined the hills around its military positions and nearby villages where civilians live. As a result, there are still numerous mines in many parts of Paletwa.
In order to make the lives and property of the people in Paletwa region safer than before, the Arakan Army continues to actively hunt down and attack military council troops fleeing Paletwa.
Sent by Narinjara.