Thinzar Nwe — In Sittwe, Rakhine State, junta soldiers, police, and conscripted Muslim soldiers have been fleeing after suffering heavy casualties from AA snipers.
An insider associated with the junta remarked, "Those who fled comprised not only soldiers but also police and Muslim militants."
A junta column of about 50 soldiers and policemen from the 36th Police Battalion stationed in Sittwe advanced toward Pallinpyin and Aung Dai, situated on the outskirts of Sittwe. Only 5 soldiers returned to their battalion. I heard that they were hit by AA snipers. Some of them also fled the column," he stated.
The high casualties have led to the fleeing of soldiers assigned to security duties in the Ohn Tawgyi area near Sittwe.
“The AA is familiar with the terrain. The AA snipers arrive one or two at a time. At times, they position themselves along the roads and shoot, while at other times, they wait close to large trees and shoot. Soldiers fear venturing out and confronting AA, as they are aware that AA snipers can strike any time," he stated.
According to him, the attacks from the snipers have increased the challenges faced by soldiers and police when trying to exit the column and flee.
At 9 pm on January 13, about 20 soldiers from the military base in Ohn Tawgyi village (Muslim) stole a boat from the village and fled together.
Likewise, at 8 pm on January 12, two soldiers from the 270th Battalion left their weapons and ammunition by the Zaw Puja railway line and ran away, as stated in an APM news report.
Among those fleeing are Muslim armed groups that have received military training and are armed. They have been gradually fleeing since early January this year, with at least 60 soldiers having defected as of January 18, according to a report on January 19 by Coastal News Agency, citing military sources in Sittwe.
According to the report, on January 12, 29 soldiers from the Ohn Tawgyi camp and on January 13, 31 soldiers from Battalion 270 deserted, with the majority being trained Muslims.
In early January, the outpost camp located near Tawkan, the entrance to the DaKaSa Regional Operations Command Headquarters (ROC), along with the outpost near Ganggaw Kyun and Shay Seng, was assaulted and captured.
