Fighting broke out between the Arakan Army-led revolutionary forces and military council troops near villages including Kyet Paung Kone village in Kwin Kauk township area of Ingapu Township, Ayeyarwady Region. The clashes started around 2 PM on March 27 and continued until evening near Kyet Paung Kone village, Than Ywa Kone village, and Taung Zin village, forcing over 1,000 residents from these and nearby villages to temporarily evacuate to safer locations.
According to local residents, the fighting occurred in forested areas near the villages, with loud gunfire heard starting from the afternoon. Kyet Paung Kone village is located adjacent to the Pathein-Monywa road, and after the fighting subsided, some displaced villagers have been able to return to their homes. Clashes in Ingapu Township had previously been reported around Chin Lay village and Saw Pya village since around March 20.
The areas where fighting took place are only a few miles away from the Military Council’s No. 5 Advanced Training School (Kwin Kauk). The Saytana Pan Khin Sayadaw, based in Ingapu Township, confirmed the fighting through social media posts and warned civilians to remain vigilant. The monk reported that the clashes had reached as far as the entrance of Kyet Paung Kone village along the Pathein-Monywa road.
According to residents of the Ayeyarwady Region, the Kwin Kauk area of Ingapu Township is connected to the Rakhine Yoma mountain range, and military tensions and clashes have been occurring in townships connected to the Rakhine region, including Yegyi Township, Ngayokekaung Town, Lemyethna Township, and Ingapu Township. Local residents are closely monitoring the situation and remain concerned about their security.
