Junta offices in Paletwa close for security reasons amid fierce fighting

By Admin 05 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 January 2024, Paletwa, Chin State

Fierce fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) continued in Paletwa, Chin State, on Friday, with the regime launching airstrikes on the ethnic armed group’s positions, locals said.

The AA has been launching offensive attacks on the military’s Paletwa-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 289 since January 1. 

“The fighting was fierce today. The military responded to the AA’s offensive with artillery strikes and aerial support. A junta jet fighter and a helicopter fired into the AA members at about 1 p.m. on January 5,” said a Paletwa resident.

The conflict has forced thousands of residents in Paletwa to flee and the regime’s administrative offices have reportedly been shuttered for security reasons.

“The administrative offices such as those for township General Administration Departments and hospitals have had to be closed since the AA’s attack on the military’s LIB 289. The township administrator and his employees fled to LIB 289,” said another resident in Paletwa.

Residents of Paletwa said that there are no doctors or health workers at the hospital, so they are worried about the health of residents who are still trapped by the fighting.

The AA has launched assaults on the military outposts belonging to Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 233, 374, 376, 308, 211, 217, 289 and 220 in Paletwa town since January 1.

Two local residents were killed and two others were wounded as the military’s Paletwa-based regiments shelled downtown residential areas on the night of January 3.

So far at least five people were killed and 18 others have been injured in Chin State’s Paletwa Township during the latest hostilities, according to a DMG tally.

The AA has seized a total of 21 military camps in Paletwa Township, including two tactical command outposts, during the latest hostilities, which began on November 13.