Military-AA clashes escalate in Thandwe and Gwa’s Kyeintali

By Admin 25 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 August 2024, Thandwe

Fierce clashes between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) were ongoing at Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe Township and Kyeintali Town in Gwa Township, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on August 24.

Clashes were continuing to escalate as the military responded to the AA’s attack with aerial and naval support, the AA’s statement said.

“The AA will continue to attempt to capture the remaining towns in Arakan State in accordance with the previous military objective, and will not surrender and will defeat any enemy,” the AA’s statement added.

The regime is defending the Maung Shwe Lay naval base, the last major junta position in the township, with a group of naval ships, making it difficult for the AA to capture Thandwe, said a local resident familiar with the military situation.

“For the AA, the Maung Shwe Lay naval base was found to be more difficult than capturing the military camps. The regime is defending the Maung Shwe Lay naval base with retreating troops, including 10 warships in the Bay of Bengal, so it is difficult for the AA to capture it,” the local resident added.

The AA has seized two Thandwe-based junta battalions, military camps and Thandwe.

It has been one month since the AA launched an offensive against the Maung Shwe Lay naval base and Kwin Wyne naval base in Thandwe Township.

The AA seized control of Kyeintali after dozens of junta soldiers retreated from the town on August 13, locals said.

Fighting between the military and AA is escalating near Kyeintali-adjacent Khaingkhon, a village located on the other side of Kalarpyin Village where the military has prepared a defence. Thousands of local people from Thandwe and Gwa townships have been forced to flee their homes by the fighting.

Since launching its offensive in November of last year, the AA has seized nine townships in Arakan State as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.