August 3rd, 2022
On the morning of August 2nd, fighting erupted between the military council troops and the Arakan Army (AA) in Paletwa and Maungdaw Townships in Arakan State, according to locals.
“Fighting took place in Kinchaung village and Tha Htay Kone Taung (Nwar Taung) in the east of Paletwa. Since 10 am till now, the military has been firing light and heavy weapons near Kinchaung village. The military has fired around 60 rounds of heavy shells,” a local from Paletwa told the DMG at around 3 pm.
“There was a clash near Mile Post No.40 in the northern Maungdaw Township between 10 am and 11 am. Around six rounds of heavy shelling were heard. The military fired heavy shells at the five-minute interval. The military fired heavy shells to Milepost No.40,” a local from Mee Tike village says.
The villages which are adjacent to Milepost No.40 are Mee Tike, Thinbawhla, Minkhamaung, Mingala nyunt and Tamanthar villages. Mee Tike village is located about four miles from the milepost.
The DMG is still trying to contact U Khaing Thu Kha, Spokesperson of the AA to seek the comment on it. Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura is unavailable for comment.
On July 18th, the AA attacked a combined force of the military council troops and the Border Guard Police Force between Saung Pyin Nyar village and Sankarpin (Arakan) village in Maungdaw Township. Some junta soldiers were killed, and 14 border guard police members arrested in the fighting.
The AA issued a statement on July 19th, warning the public to be vigilant about the military situation as fighting continues to intensify due to the junta’s military activities and preparations in Arakan State.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)