Mizzima
Junta helicopter airstrikes damaged ancient, historically important pagodas in Mrauk-U Town, Rakhine State on 13 December, according to the Arakan Army (AA).
After a confrontation between the AA and the junta army on the outskirts of Mrauk-U Town at 3:00 p.m. on 13 December, a junta Mi35 attack helicopter launched an airstrike on the historically important Mahn Ngar Par Pagoda area of Mrauk-U at 4:28 p.m.
The airstrike caused damage to the ancient Yadana Mahn Aung Pagoda, and other historic temples, and monasteries in the Mahn Ngar Par Pagoda area.
A source said: “The junta’s aerial attacks initially targeted the Mahn Ngar Par pagoda area and later reportedly struck the Yadana Mahn Aung Pagoda.”
The junta also fired artillery at the area surrounding the ancient Mingala Mahn Aung Pagoda and the nearby area around Thetkya Mahn Aung Pagoda. They also fired artillery into nearby villages, according to a Mrauk-U resident.
They said: “The military troops were indiscriminately firing ammunition continuously for half an hour. In response, thousands of residents have fled the area.”
At the same time as the airstrikes against Mrauk-U, the junta also launched simultaneous airstrikes on AA positions in the mountains near Pan Myaung Village in the neighbouring township of Minbya.
Junta Light Infantry Battalion 377 and Light Infantry Battalion 540, stationed in Mrauk-U, have been indiscriminately and continuously firing artillery at villages in Mrauk-U since 12 December at 11:30 am, according to the Three Alliance group of ethnic armed organisations.
