According to military news sources and local residents, intense fighting has broken out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council forces in Laymyethna Township, Ayeyarwady Region, resulting in significant casualties on the military council’s side. The clashes began on March 17 in several villages within the Watkone village tract, including Watkone, Lekhonlay, Lekhongyi, Setsatyo, Chinlay, and Sankone villages. Reports indicate that the military council has suffered numerous casualties, with the bodies of deceased soldiers being transported to the crematorium in Oktwinkone village, located along the Pathein-Monywa highway in the Kwinkauk area of Ingapu Township.
The fighting continues to be intense, with the military council conducting airstrikes in the area. As a result, thousands of civilians from the Watkone village tract and surrounding villages have been forced to flee to safer locations. Military sources report that the battles that began on March 17 in Laymyethna Township have been particularly severe, and local residents are living in fear due to the military council’s continued aerial bombardment of the area. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted the daily lives of local residents, and there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance for those who have been displaced by the fighting.
According to statements from the Arakan Army (AA), they have been conducting continuous offensive operations into Ayeyarwady Region, Magway Region, and Bago Region, all of which share borders with Rakhine State. The current fighting has resulted in widespread displacement of civilians, with thousands forced to abandon their homes and communities. These internally displaced persons are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance as they face challenges in securing basic necessities and safe shelter. The situation continues to deteriorate as the military council’s forces employ both ground attacks and airstrikes, causing further civilian casualties and destruction of property in the affected areas.
