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RAKHINE STATE – Maei Bridge near the town of Maei in Toungup Township and Kyaukgyipauk Bridge were detonated by the junta council, confessed junta Medical Warrant Officer Myo Khant who has been captured as a POW (prisoner of war).
His confession video was released by the Arakan Army on Wednesday evening (March 13).
He revealed that they received an order to leave the military camp at Maei on February 15 then packed up and left the town on February 16 around 8:30 a.m. They reportedly paused at the exit of Maei and detonated Maei Bridge then continued ahead and similarly detonated Kyaukgyipauk Bridge.
“I would like to mention here that I don’t wish to say it was a military order. I don’t know why the higher-ups detonated Maei Bridge and Kyaukgyipauk Bridge. Maei Bridge is an important bloodline for the trade and transportation of the people. I believe that detonating this bridge is akin to destroying the lives of the people. I, as one of the people, was also saddened,” said Medical Warrant Officer Myo Khant from infantry battalion 36.
The retreat from Maei was led by the battalion commander of infantry 36, Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naing Win and it is said that the junta forces moved to the ship after detonating Kyaukgyipauk Bridge and continued to Kyaukphyu.
They arrived at Kyaukphyu on February 21 around 7:30 a.m. where Colonel Wanna Aung from the junta council’s Military Tactics 3 detained Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naing Win, the deputy battalion commander, a major and another officer. Then on February 23, Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naing Win was placed in confinement while the other junta soldiers including the deputy battalion commander were sent to Ramree via helicopter.
“On February 23 around 7:30 a.m., 2IC and other officers were released except for the battalion commander and we were sent to Ramree. At around 5:30 p.m., we started departing for Ramree in Mi 17 helicopters. We arrived at Ramree around 6:30 p.m. We joined up with light infantry 373 and continued to our original goal, Koran Mountain. Then on the 24th between 3:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., there were intense battles and we split up. Following that, I was captured by the Arakan Army alongside two patients on the 25th,” elaborated Warrant Officer Myo Khant.