Homes damaged as Myanmar military fire hits residential areas in Mrauk-U

By DMG 20 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
20 September 2022, Mrauk-U 

Some homes in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U town were reportedly damaged as the Myanmar military directed heavy weapons and small arms fire into residential areas at around 11 p.m. on September 19. 

Heavy weapons and small arms were fired from Pyin Zay Ward and some artillery shells landed in Lawkamu and Sabarseik wards, said a resident of Mrauk-U. 

“The military’s indiscriminate firing lasted for about three hours. The Myanmar military opened heavy weapons and small arms fire into residential areas, hitting some homes,” the Mrauk-U resident added. 

“Residents in downtown Mrauk-U are worried about their safety as junta soldiers who opened fire last night shouted that they would come to Mrauk-U wards tonight [the night of September 20],” he said. 

“When we heard gunfire, we hid ourselves under the house,” said a local woman from Sabarseik Ward. “Some people from a home that was hit by a heavy weapon hid themselves in our home because they had no time to flee to a safer location. I am still afraid of the gunfire. Junta soldiers who opened fire last night shouted that they would come to Mrauk-U wards tonight. Residents in Mrauk-U are concerned for their safety.” 

A curfew order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, previously imposed in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, has been extended for another two months from September 16, according to local people. 

Junta troops also opened fire indiscriminately and arrested a resident in Mrauk-U in the early hours of September 4.