The Tatmadaw requested people to give tip-offs about Arakan Army (AA) to respective administrative organizations and security organizations if the AA entered their towns, wards and villages to avoid further bloodshed in Rakhine State, it announced on March 23.

AA members are plotting mine and sniper attacks on army columns while disguising themselves as civilians and in homes, which causes disadvantage towards the military as it may cause harm to civilians.

The announcement said that the army is providing security at Saetaung Village and nearby villages after the AA attacked the army column providing security near Saetaung Village, Yathadaung Township on March 21.

About 30 members of AA attacked the army columns from about 400 meters away from the southeast of Yaykhaungchaung Village using small and big guns in early morning of March 22 and about 50 members of AA attacked the army columns from about 800 meters away from the southeast of Yaykhaungchaung Village using small and big guns around 4:30 pm on March 22, the announcement said.

Some casualties occurred in the army and the army found three bodies wearing sports and civilian clothes from a place from which the AA attacked the army. The army is conducting operation in the area, announced the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services.