For the past two days, the sound of mortar shells and gunfire has been heard in Shah Porir Island, Teknaf Upazila, which borders Myanmar’s Rakhine State. This has created panic among the locals. Residents say that the sound of gunfire was heard intermittently on Thursday and Friday. Photo: JAKARIA ALFAJ
Deafening explosions across the Naf River as conflict rages between the rebels and the Myanmar government troops Tatmadaw in Rakhine State. The booms of bombardment in Rakhine State could be heard from Shah Porir Dwip and the Saint Martin Islands.
After the rebels took control of several towns and villages in South Rakhine State, the Myanmar government troops Tatmadaw launched a counter-offensive to quell the rebellion’s advance to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine.
However, Naikhongchhari in Bandarban and Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar are relatively calm and sounds of explosions have not been heard there.
Several residents on the island reported heavy explosions in Myanmar, said Abdus Salam, a local union council member.
In heavy fog and cold winter nights on Friday, the Arakan Army occupied positions by Myanmar military junta’s jet fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship, which bombed and strafed the hideouts of the rebels, causing heavy damages and casualties.
The bombardments have caused the homes and buildings to rattle like an earthquake, which caused panic in Shah Porir Dwip and Saint Martin Islands. The day passed hearing thunderous sounds causing fear among the residents.
The battles between rebels and government forces are far away inside Rakhine and will not spill over into Bangladesh.
The Sabrang Union Parishad member Abdus Salam said from dawn on Friday the residents woke from the explosions. After every few minutes, the house was shaking at the sound of explosions.
Though the explosion was far away, it is just across the Naf River. “Like me many residents are frightened. The children and infants are restless every time they hear the explosion,” he said.
He claimed that despite the fog and sky is not clear, he could see helicopters and fighter planes in the Myanmar skies.
A resident of the Island, Mohammad Zayed said he has never before heard the thunderous explosion.
The Teknaf Upazila administration executive officer, Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury, said Myanmar is five kilometres across the river Naf. The fishermen are also panicked by the sound of explosions and have not ventured into the river.
Adnan Chowdhury, said Border Guard Bangladesh and Coast Guard patrols have intensified along the Myanmar border. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant amid the escalating conflict in Rakhine state.
The unrest at the border also led to a suspension of tourist ship movement along the Teknaf-St Martin sea route.
Meanwhile, reports of the Arakan Army capturing the Myanmar Border Guard Police outposts in the Rakhine state have surfaced on various news portals as the conflict between the rebels and junta forces intensified.
The war in Rakhine State has intensified as the Arakan Army increased its attacks on junta military positions in three coastal townships – Maungdaw, Ramree and Rathedaung.
The junta’s military is attempting to defend its remaining bases in the three townships by bombing coordinated by its army, navy and air force.
The junta’s military allegedly continued to target civilians in Rakhine State. In the north of the Rakhine state, near the Bangladesh and India triangle, the junta’s military has escalated airstrikes and shelling on Rathedaung town.
The Arakan Army press statement claimed it has seized more than 170 junta bases and outposts since November 13, as well as six towns in Rakhine State – Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Taungpyoletwe and Myaybon – and one in Chin State, Paletwa.
Messenger/Disha
