Myanmar’s military regime has arrested more than 60 civilians displaced by fighting between its forces and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State’s Ann Township, sources told DMG.

Residents from Kyauksakwe, Melaungchaung and Ywartharyar villages fled to nearby villages following a clash between junta and AA troops near Kyauksakwe Village on September 26.

They fled to Ann Town on September 29 due to escalating military tensions. On the way, more than 60 villagers including women were arrested by a junta column.

“No villagers have yet been released,” said a source.

The villagers were reportedly detained at a junta base on a hill that also hosts Kantkaw Htataung Pagoda in Ann Town.

Around 80 junta troops are deployed on the hill, and they have frequently clashed with the AA, according to sources.

On September 26, three members of a family who had fled from Kyauksakwe Village were killed in an artillery strike fired by junta troops deployed on the hill.

Director U Myat Tun of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association said: “The regime has been deliberately targeting civilians as it has lost every battle. It has used civilians as human shields and carried out air raids to defend towns against anti-regime groups. It has become a routine for the regime. It keeps violating the Geneva Convention.”

Fighting has been raging in Ann Township as the AA is attacking junta positions along the Mae mountains between Kyeinchaung and Khamaungtaw villages.

One resident said: “I still heard heavy guns. But I didn’t hear any aircraft today. The fighting continued today, but it was not as fierce as yesterday.”

The two sides have been fighting in Ann Township since March, and the AA has seized the junta’s tactical command base at Mt. Taw Hein Taung.