Fighting broke out between junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) in the northern part of Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State on the morning of 18 July.

The fighting started after a junta vehicle hit a landmine on the road between Ta Rein and Myawaddy Villages in mountains at about 10.30 a.m. on 18 July, according to a resident of Myawaddy Village.

He said: "One military vehicle hit a land mine Between Myawaddy and Ta Rein Village, after that, both sides fired at each other. I heard continuous small arms fire. They started shooting at about 10:30 a.m. and stopped after midday. What we now know is that fighting broke out between the AA and the Myanmar military."

Due to the fighting villagers from both Myawaddy and Ta Rein villages fled to nearby villages where some gathered in schools, according to a local woman.

She said: "Currently, the fighting has stopped. I can no longer hear the sound of weapons. But people who fled with their children still don't dare go home. They are hiding in the village schools."

There are about 60 households in Myawaddy Village and 50 in Ta Rein Village.

Relations between junta troops and the AA in Rakhine State are tense. For their security the military are only travelling by military vehicles in many areas of Rakhine State. They have also been conducting many checks and arresting people in the state.