Locals claim alleged gunfire from helicopters

By Khaing Roe La 09 Nov 2019

Khaing Roe La | DMG
9 November, Myebon

Villagers fled their homes when two helicopters fired at mountain ranges east of Yoesanwin Village in Myebon Township, at about 10 am today, said locals.

As helicopters from Tatmadaw were flying near the village, Yoesanwin villagers ran to nearby villages, said an unknown Yoesanwin villager.
“Our villagers saw gunfire from helicopters, so they fled. But some villagers are still in the village,” he said.

There were no armed engagements in the village where helicopters opened fire. Currently, Yoesanwin villagers moved to Pyinhla, Moethee Nattaung, Khamaukswe and Taunggyiyin villages, according to the locals.

“We heard about six bursts of artillery fire at about 6 pm yesterday. But helicopters fired there this morning without making any sound and there were no attacks,” said an unknown local.

The spokesperson for the Tatmadaw’s Western Command Headquarters Col Win Zaw Oo said that helicopter gunfire was false. Tatmadaw helicopters were only conducting practice drills and nothing more.

Col Win Zaw Oo told DMG, “No skirmishes happened there. Helicopter gunfire is not true. Helicopters are being used for training exercises. Villagers did not run away. All things are quiet and calm. It may be information from an unscrupulous people.”

The statistics released by Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC) in September showed the number of displaced persons reached more than 64,000 over 10 months of fighting with additional numbers from daily attacks.