Fighting has escalated between resistance forces and soldiers from State Administration Council (SAC) in Sami (also spelled Samee) in Paletwa Township, located in southern Chin State.
“I think 90 percent of residents have fled the clashes, with many people taking shelter in remote villages or hiding in the jungle,” said a resident.
Clashes in the township have been happening everyday since December 14. Nearly all of Sami's 8,000 residents fled the following day when heavy shelling occurred upstream of a river named after the town. Those remaining are hiding in churches.
Rumours have circulated that Arakan Army (AA) is attacking SAC forces in Sami, but Khonumthung News has not been able to verify this information.
AA has reported capturing at least 17 SAC camps in Paletwa Township in the 45 days since fighting resumed with the military regime in Chin and Arakan (also Rakhine) states.
The group seized the junta's Ta Ron Aing (also called Tarawaing) with two heliports; Num Bu, which is also crucial for SAC; Myeikwa, Karlam, Point 351 and 391; Pakarwa, Doh Chaungwa, Sanuam camps, three outposts of the Infantry Battalion 289, and several military checkpoints.
AA also captured Ler Mwi, Yinkwe Tawng, Point 129 and 159 camps; and two temporary encampments near Oak Themawa and Abawngwa villages. All of them are in Paletwa Township.
Altogether, in both of the states, AA captured 142 security force camps (military, police, border force) between October 17 – December 10.
SAC has conducted numerous airstrikes against AA and Mara Defense Force, a Chin armed group fighting with the Arakanese group, in Paletwa Township—and against AA in Arakan State.
AA claimed the regime employed chemical weapons against its forces in the Num Bu and Ta Ron Aing strategic camps in Paletwa Township.
All of the armed groups have suffered many casualties during the battles in both states where fighting is still raging.