RAKHINE STATE – Local residents reported that the Arakan Army (AA) and the terrorist junta council were engaged in intense battles around Ohnmaw Mountain that is located about 18 miles from Thandwe.
Starting around 11 a.m. on May 4, the AA forces stationed on Ohnmaw Mountain and the terrorist junta forces stationed inside Kyaungkone Old Village and at the edge of Linthi Village fiercely exchanged fire with light and heavy weapons.
A large number of civilians had to flee due to the battles and it is not yet clear if there were any civilian casualties.
“They have been firing at each other since around 11 this morning (May 4). Civilians had to flee as bullets and shells landed into Linthi Village near Shwehlay Bridge. We are not sure yet if there were any civilian casualties. A group of junta forces is located near the bridge at the entrance of Linthi Village and another group is inside Kyaungkone Old Village while AA forces are positioned on Ohnmaw Mountain. The sound of gunfire, machine gun fire and heavy artillery fire cam be heard constantly,” said a local resident.
The terrorist junta forces are said to be defending against AA, using civilians as shields, and are reportedly unable to effectively strike at the AA forces who have taken an advantageous position on Ohnmaw Mountain. It is said that there were also no airstrikes by the junta council in the area on May 4, despite the abdundant use of aerial attacks by the junta regime.
“It seems like AA wants to force the junta troops stationed in residential zones to come outside. But the junta forces are not leaving their stations. So, they are just firing (at each other) from afar. There were no aerial attacks (by the junta council) today (May 4) either. Junta forces on Bhartaung Mountain in Thandwe fired heavy artillery to assist their troops earlier but had stopped as well. The battle has also quieted down compared to earlier. We don’t know which side lost how much,” continued the local resident.