The Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) have currently been fighting in Myebon Township, forcing local villagers to flee for safety and schools have been closed.

The hostilities started near Yoe Sa Nwin village on 22 September and continued until 25 September, said an anonymous villager.

“The clash broke out on 22 September. They paused on the following day. Then, they kept on fighting on the 24th and 25th. Teachers fled to Myebon town. There was gunfire from helicopters today,” the villager said on Wednesday.

The fighting broke out three miles east of the village and villagers fled to nearby villages for safety.

“Schools have been closed since 22 September,” the villager said.

Previously, the clashes between the Tatmadaw and the AA erupted in northern Arakan State, but war spread into Myebon Township and escalated day after day, local sources said.

As many as 16 schools have been closed due to ongoing fighting in Arakan State, according to the figures from the office of the head of Education Department in Arakan State.

There were eleven schools from Buthidaung Township, three schools from Rathedaung Township and two schools from Minbya Township that closed, according U Sein Tun Hla, deputy director of the Education Department in Arakan State.