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, according to local residents and military sources. The clashes began on March 17 in several villages within the Watkone village tract, including Watkone, Lekhanlae, Lekhangyi, Setsatyo, Chinlae, and Sankone villages, where heavy fighting continues to take place.
Due to the high number of casualties suffered by military council forces, bodies are being transported to and cremated at the crematorium in Oaktwinkone village, located along the Pathein-Monywa highway in the Kwingauk area of Ingapu Township. The ongoing fighting has forced thousands of civilians from the Watkone village tract and surrounding villages to flee to safer areas. According to military sources, the fighting in Laymyethna Township has been particularly intense since March 17, with the military council conducting airstrikes, forcing local residents to evacuate as war refugees.
According to statements from the Arakan Army (AA), they have been conducting continuous offensive operations into Ayeyarwady, Magway, and Bago Regions, which share borders with Rakhine State. The military sources confirm that the fighting remains intense in the area, with the military council suffering heavy losses while conducting both ground operations and aerial attacks. The situation has created a humanitarian crisis as thousands of civilians continue to be displaced from their homes, seeking refuge in safer locations away from the conflict zone.
