Over 30 regime soldiers surrender in Maungdaw Twsp

By Admin 24 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
24 April 2024, Maungdaw

Some 30 junta soldiers from the Aung Mingalar border guard force police outpost in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, surrendered to the Arakkha Army (AA) on April 23.

The regime attacked some positions near the BGF outpost with heavy weapons and airstrikes after junta soldiers under No. Border Guard Force [Kyeekanpyin Headquarters] surrendered to the AA, a reliable source said.

“I think they [junta soldiers] discussed the matters for about one week whether they would surrender to the AA or not. Around 30 junta soldiers surrendered to the AA yesterday. The regime dropped bombs and fired mortar shells into some positions after junta soldiers surrendered to the AA. The regime’s No. 5 Border Guard Force also fired mortar shells,” he explained.

Thousands of junta soldiers and their family members have surrendered in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township during the latest fighting, which began in November. Those who surrendered are being well cared for in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the AA has said.

Fierce clashes are reported in Maungdaw on a daily basis as the AA steps up attacks on junta bases, military camps and BGF outposts in order to seize the entire Maungdaw region.

“Clashes seem to be intensifying in the mornings and evenings. The junta carries out bombing raids in the mornings and evenings not to prevent the border town from falling to the AA,” said a local resident in Maungdaw.

Hundreds of local people from villages near the scene of fighting such as Pharwatchaung, Aungthayar, Aungzeya and Kyeekanpyin were forced to flee.

“Locals have fled to safer locations due to the junta’s shelling. We are worried about our safety due to the junta’s airstrikes,” said a local woman.

The AA has so far seized several military camps including Kyeinchaung BGF outpost, Yanaungmyin military camp and Tamanthar police outpost in Maungdaw Township.

“If the AA can control Buthidaung and Maungdaw, the political game of the regime will be destroyed. These areas are places where the regime will lose its seat completely,” said an Arakanese youth.

In his message marking the 15th anniversary of the founding of the AA on April 10, AA chief Twan Mrat Naing urged residents in Arakan State to brace for the decisive battle in the state.

Fighting has been raging in Arakan State for over five months, with the AA seizing large swaths of Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon and Ramree townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. The AA is currently ramping up attacks on the junta troops in Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Ann townships.

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