Up to 45 civilians have gone missing and lost contact with their families since the fighting broke out in Thandwe Township, according to local-based Lay Waddy FM’s “Help Program for the Missing during the War”.
Since early June, fierce fighting has been ongoing near Ngapali town in Thandwe Township. Many local residents have fled to safety due to the danger posed by air and naval bombardments from the military council.
Some of them have stayed behind to watch over their houses and have lost contact with their family members to this day.
Most of those who have lost contact with their families are from Thandwe and Ngapali.
Those who have lost contact include: 18 men, 17 women, three children, and seven others whose gender cannot be identified.
The daughter of Thandwe resident U Saw Shwe Maung who lost contact with the family said, “I haven’t been able to contact my father and brother for about a week. Due to phone blackouts in Thandwe, I don’t know their whereabouts. The last information I had was that they were planning to leave town by car. I request assistance to find out if they have been evacuated or if they are in another location and safe.”
The military council bombed the communication tower on Nandaw mountain in Thandwe. Since 13 July, phone lines have been cut off in the town and its surrounding areas.
The Arakha Army (AA) evacuated more than 400 residents who were trapped during the battle to seize the town of Thandwe.
A social activist from Thandwe Township said: “Family members are worried because they have lost contact with those who remained in the town. The AA has also evacuated locals who were trapped, so it’s likely that many of those who have lost contact are among them.”
Currently, the AA has taken full control of Thandwe. The military council has fortified defenses at the Maung Shwe Lay naval base and Jake Taw ward on Ngapali beach, leading to intensified fighting between the two sides in that area.
The fighting in Thandwe Township has been going on for three months, and more than 50,000 people have been displaced.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)