October 17, 2022
More than 300 residents of Kyauksartaing (Khami) village in Gutar Pyin village, Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, were forced to flee to downtown Buthidaung after the village was shelled with artillery fire by military council troops.
On October 16, clashes broke out between junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) near Gutar Pyi and Kyauksartaing villages in Buthidaung Township at around 6 am.
During the fighting, artillery shells from military council troops hit Kyauksartaing (Khami) village, forcing residents to run for safety, a Buthidaung resident said.
“Clashes are frequent near the villages of Gutar Pyin and Kyauksartaing villages. This has been going on for a long time, for about 10 days now. I heard that villagers have fled to safer places after the village was hit by artillery shells since yesterday’s fighting,” the resident said.
Those who fled Kyauksartaing village have taken shelter in Gandar Yi Ywar Thit village and Gandar Yi Monastery in downtown Buthidaung.
“They’ve arrived at Gandar Yi Monastery. As of yesterday, 308 people are registered there. They’re struggling to provide for themselves. Since relief activities are temporarily suspended, they haven’t received anything yet. At the moment, Gandar Yi Monastery is taking care of them,” said an official from Gandar Yi Monastery who didn’t want to be named.
In Kyauksartaing (Khami) village, there are a total of 64 households with 308 people – 160 men and 148 women. After the junta shelled the village, the entire village, including the elderly and children, fled to safety.
Sent by Khaing Lu Hla (Yoma Myay).