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, Lekhonlay, Lekhongyi, Setsatyo, Chinlay, and Sankone villages. The military council has been transporting their numerous casualties to the crematorium in Oaktwinkone village near the Pathein-Monywa highway in Ingapu Township for cremation.
Currently, thousands of civilians from the Watkone village tract and surrounding areas have been forced to flee to safety due to the ongoing battles. The military council has been conducting airstrikes in the area, putting civilian lives and property at grave risk. The Arakan Army (AA) has been conducting consecutive military operations into Ayeyarwady, Magway, and Bago Regions, which share borders with Rakhine State, according to AA statements.
According to military sources, the fighting that began on March 17 in Laymyethna Township has been extremely intense, with the military council conducting airstrikes but failing to contain AA’s offensive operations, resulting in continued casualties. Local civilians who have been forced to evacuate are facing difficulties with food shortages and lack of access to healthcare services, in addition to being displaced from their homes. The ongoing conflict has created a humanitarian crisis in the area, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire and forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods for safety.
