Residents of five Minbya villages flee fighting

Clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) broke out near Seitaya village in Arakan State’s Minbya Township on March 26, forcing residents in five villages to flee their homes, according to locals.

By Hnin Nwe 26 Mar 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
March 26, Minbya

Clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) broke out near Seitaya village in Arakan State’s Minbya Township on March 26, forcing residents in five villages to flee their homes, according to locals.

An anonymous resident of Seitaya village said fearful residents abandoned their houses due to fighting that flared at about 8 a.m. on March 26 near a cluster of villages including Seitaya, Taung Pote Kay, Latt Khote, Myin Tinma and Phon Thar Chaung.

“We heard the news that clashes were occurring in the jungle. But houses in the villages have gotten torched, residents are tortured and belongings inside the houses are looted. So we are concerned that we will be treated like that,” he said.

Those who fled are now staying at Donthar and Athay Kan villages.

“I heard gunfire this morning. Later, I heard that fighting occurred near Taung Pote Kay village,” said U Hla Aung Nyung, an Arakan State Hluttaw member from Minbya Township.

More than 120,000 civilians have been displaced in Arakan State due to the conflict between the Tatmadaw and the AA ethnic armed group. Many now live in crowded temporary camps, where they struggle to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and durable shelter.