MYANMAR – Following the battle at Makyizin in Ayeyarwaddy Division that is close to Rakhine’s Gwa Township, the junta council has reinforced its troops in Shwetaungyan, Chaungtha and Ngwesaung and is conducting strict checks on the road and at checkpoints while navy ships as well as military aircrafts are also conducting patrols, according to the local news sources.
A source in Pathein also shared that the junta council set up two additional camps in Chaungtha.
“Junta navy ships are frequently sighted in Chaungtha and Ngwesaung these days. There are also countless checks on the road. They check for IDs and go through mobile phones. The checks are even stricter if you are from Rakhine. Military vehicles are also moving towards Chaungtha, Ngwesaung, and Shwetaungyan every day,” a military news source said.
The junta council has started making war preparations after the Arakan Army and joint revolutionary forces captured several junta camps in Makyizin.
Junta lobby channels also spread news of the junta council’s Minister for Ayeyarwaddy Division visiting the locals in Shwetaungyan, claiming there is no battle in the region.
According to the January 13 announcement by Pathein Township People’s Defence Force, the junta council has reinforced and set up camps at Tapinmhaw Artillery Regiment and Watthay Village in Shwetaungyan.
In addition, there are also junta forces stationed at Kyaukmaungnhama with tanks and the random artillery fire from Tapinmhaw Artillery Regiment on January 11 and 12 were said to have scared the residents.
It is also reported that junta forces are conducting strict searches on travellers in areas including Shwetaungyan, Chaungtha, Ngwesaung and Pathein and also extorting the people.
