Constant bombardments displace locals in northern Rakhine

Villagers have been fleeing from their homes due to 24-hour firing of heavy weapons and attacks from helicopters near two villages in Kyauktaw Township, according to local residents.

By Seine Ko Ko 14 Mar 2019

(Villagers from Chaung Tu who are being displaced by the fighting / Photo_ Than Zaw)

Sein Ko Ko/ DMG 
March 14, Sittwe

Villagers have been fleeing from their homes due to 24-hour firing of heavy weapons and attacks from helicopters near two villages in Kyauktaw Township, according to local residents.

The government military force attacks day and night near Chaung Tu and Buddhaw villages in the northern Kyauktaw Township.

The Tatmadaw’s continuous attacks that started since March 11 which includes bombings with jet fighters, and large number of civilians are forced to flee from their homes because of the firing that goes on almost the whole night, locals told the DMG.

Villages are concerned for their safety because of the bombardments that continue day and night, said a local resident from Wahtaung village.

“We heard the sounds of heavy artillery throughout the whole day. They attack at night also. When the firing of heavy weapon stops, they attack from aircraft. Children are sent to relatives’ homes from other area,” he said.

People from Wahtaung, Kansauk, Pabechaung and Chaung Tu villages could not sleep well, he added.

An artillery shell hit in Buddhaw village yesterday and a house was destroyed, he said.

The attack in Kyauktaw Township has been intense in the wake of AA’s attack on Yoe Ta Yoke police outpost on the evening of March 9.