The Tatmadaw troop positioned on a hill in the middle of Panmyaung village in Minbya Township fired artillery on the morning of 25 August, forcing villagers to flee from their homes, according to local sources.

 

The gunfire on 24 August claimed casualties, and villagers were concerned about their safety so they fled to neighboring villages in Mrauk-U Township, villagers said.

 

“The gunfire came from the hill in the village which is from around the Mrauk-U area. We were anxious so we left our homes,” said a local resident from Panmyaung village.

     

Some villagers said that the Tatmadaw fired weapons from the village hill because there was a clash near Shwe Kyin village in Minbya Township.

 

Panmyaung villagers are taking shelter in nearby villages such as Pyarde and Sinbawkaing at the moment.

 

Some mortar fire from the Tatmadaw landed on two houses in the village, killing three people and injuring four others from the house, family members said.

 

One of the four injured villagers was sent to Sittwe hospital due to severe wounds while three of them were sent to Mrauk-U hospital.

     

The Tatmadaw said that the gunfire was not from them and accused the AA. But, the AA denied the Tatmadaw’s accusation and blamed the Tatmadaw.