As junta soldiers no longer are in Maei town in Taungup District of Arakan State, the Arakan Army (AA) is clearing many landmines planted by the military council, according to local residents
Junta soldiers from Maei Myoma police station and Zee Zan mountain outpost in Maei Township withdrew on the night on 16 February, local residents said.
A local from Maei said: “The junta soldiers have withdrawn from the town. On 19 February, the AA carried out demining at the police station. The military council planted a lot of landmines. Demining operation will take a certain period of time.”
On the night on 16 February, the military council troops withdrew from Maei. They destroyed Ma Ei creek-crossing bridge connecting Ma Ei-Pyin Won and Kyaukkyipauk bridge on Maei-Kyaukphyu road about three miles from Maei, local residents said.
Some houses near the foot of the Maei creek-crossing bridge and the Maei basic education high school were damaged by mine explosions and heavy shelling during the retreat of the military council, local residents said.
Currently, the military council troops have withdrawn from Zee Zan Mountain strategic hill and Myoma police station, local residents said.
“The army abandoned Zee Zan Mountain camp. However, the mine clearance has not started there,” a local from Maei said.
Maei which is a sub-township in Taungup District is composed of four wards namely No.1, No.2. No.3 and No-4 (Pyin Won) and has a population of around 5,000 people.
Most of local residents remain displaced as they worry that the junta will carry out airstrikes on Maei despite the withdrawal of its troops.
Sent by Narinjara