By: Camp Correspondent
Sittwe, Myanmar | December 28, 2024
The Arakan Army (AA) launched an attack on a Myanmar military checkpoint near Kyarmathauk village in Sittwe Township on the morning of December 27, leading to intense clashes between the two sides.
According to sources, the AA fired at least five rounds of artillery at a temporary military checkpoint along the Sittwe-Yangon highway. In retaliation, the Myanmar military responded with heavy artillery, sparking an exchange of fire.
“It is confirmed that clashes occurred. The AA initiated the attack using heavy artillery. There is artillery stationed at the camp, but it’s unclear whether the checkpoint or the artillery unit was the target. The military responded by firing indiscriminately at surrounding areas,” a source close to the AA revealed.
The Myanmar military’s counterattack caused collateral damage, with one of their artillery shells hitting Taung Nyo village in Pauktaw Township at around 8:30 PM on December 27, killing a local woman.
Clashes reportedly occurred in areas where the Myanmar military has positions near Kyauktan Gyi, Kyarmathauk, and Kyauktan Che villages, close to the Sittwe Regional Military Command Headquarters.
Impact on Local Communities
Residents in Sittwe reported hearing heavy artillery fire and gunfire throughout the day and night. “We heard numerous gunfire sounds. The noise was heard both inside the city and in its outskirts,” said a local woman.
Villages such as Myauk Kyun, Chi Le Pin, Thein Tan, Kyarmathauk, and Tawkan in Sittwe Township have seen increased military activity, with both the Myanmar military and the AA reinforcing their positions.
One resident described the situation in Sittwe as tense: “The military continues to fire artillery indiscriminately. Security forces, including police and soldiers, have been conducting house-to-house searches, often breaking into unoccupied homes. Recently, searches around the market area were prolonged, though the reasons for these actions remain unclear.”
Rising Tensions in the Region
The ongoing clashes and heavy artillery exchanges have left local residents increasingly concerned about their safety. Many communities in Sittwe Township remain under military control, with fears of further violence escalating.
As the Myanmar military and AA consolidate their positions, tensions in Sittwe and surrounding areas show no signs of abating, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.
