The junta troops _ from the Minpyar-based Light Infantry Battalions 379 and 541 _ raised the white flag and surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) in the morning of January 6, according to Minpyar residents.
“I still heard gunshots in the morning. I heard gunfire from both the navy and the helicopters, but I don’t know where to shoot. After shooting, I heard the junta troops raised the white flag and surrendered to AA,” a Minpyar resident told MPA.
Those who surrendered included officers, corporal, soldiers, 100 injured and their families _ including the junta’s departmental officials and the commanders _ in Minpyar town, he added.
“No more soldiers are in the town, but only the AA troops are in the town. The AA troops allow the people to enter the town for a limited time. For one time, 100 residents are allowed to enter in only part of the morning. After taking the things that the locals want, they have to leave,” he said.
The Light Infantry Battalions 380, 379 and 541 are in Minpyar town, and out of them, the Light Infantry Battalion 380 was completely captured by the Arakan Army (AA) on January 28.
Then, while the Arakan Army (AA) was trying to capture more another battalions 379 and 541, the junta troops surrendered to the AA, according to local residents.
“About 90 percent of Minpyar is under the control of the Arakan Army. Even when the Light Infantry Battalion 380 had been seized, the people could still go freely. Now we will be able to move more freely. But even if the AA can control everything, it is still not convenient to return back into the town. It is not easy for the residents to return to their places because the junta’s air threat is still there,” said a resident of Minpyar who fled to safety.
The junta jets and helicopters reportedly bombarded the towns of Minpyar and Mrauk-U nearly 30 times since 9:30 a.m. on January 5, according to local residents.
The Minpyar-based Light Infantry Battalions 379, 380 and 541 opened fire heavy weapons into villages where civilians live, so hundreds of local people were reportedly killed.