Fighting erupted between troops from the banned Arakan Army (AA) and the Burma Army in Arakan State, western Burma during the Thingyan festival New Year celebrations.
According to the AA Information Department the fighting took place in the Aurama mountain region of Taw Phyar Chaung between Rathedaung Township and Ponnagyun Township and at Natte Thaye in Yo Chaung between Ponnagyun Township and Kyauktaw Township.
The AA spokesman and the head of the AA Information Department, Khaing Thu Kha, confirmed that fighting took place on 16 April and that it was a very serious development.
He said: "Yes it was a serious encounter, but we do not yet have specific information about the clashes. As [more] government army personnel have been moved into the area we expect more such encounters."
The AA claimed that the Burma Army had suffered casualties in the fighting, but Narinjara News was unable to confirm this.
Fighting between the AA and the Burma Army first started in April 2015 and they have continued to clash in Arakan State for the past year.
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
