Intense fighting has broken out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council forces in Laymyethna Township, Ayeyarwady Region, with military council forces suffering heavy casualties according to local residents and military sources. The fighting began on March 17 in villages within the Watkone village tract, including Watkone, Lekhanlae, Lekhangyi, Setsatyo, Chinlay, and Sankone villages, where severe clashes continue to occur.
Due to the high number of casualties on the military council’s side, their bodies are being transported to and cremated at the Itwinkone village crematorium, located along the Pathein-Monywa highway in the Kwingauk area of Ingapu Township. Currently, thousands of civilians from the Watkone village tract and surrounding villages have been forced to flee their homes to escape the fighting.
According to military sources, intense fighting has been ongoing in Laymyethna Township since March 17, with the military council conducting airstrikes, forcing local residents to flee to safety. The Arakan Army (AA) has been conducting continuous offensive operations into Ayeyarwady, Magway, and Bago Regions, which share borders with Rakhine State, according to statements released by the AA.
