Blockade causes food shortages in two villages in Rakhine

24 December 2019
Blockade causes food shortages in two villages in Rakhine
Myanmar soldiers stand guard at a check point in a rural road near Maungdaw. Photo: AFP

A blockade by the military is causing food shortages for 500 people living in two sealed-off villages as fighting rages on in Rakhine state, RFA reported.

On November 25 the army took a position at Yawchaung bridge, about two miles from Ywatharyar and Chonchaung villages, identified as possibly harbouring Arakan Army troops. They are closely monitoring all traffic on the bridge; which villagers must cross to travel to other nearby villages.

Colonel Win Zaw Oo, the commander of the Tatmadaw’s Western Military Command Division, told RFA’s Myanmar Service that the military will allow the transport of foodstuff if the villagers have permission from local authorities.