AA ambushes junta reinforcements en route to Taungup

By Admin 21 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
21 June 2024, Taungup

The Arakkha Army (AA) ambushed junta reinforcements from Pyay, Bago Region, advancing to Arakan State’s Taungup Township early Friday morning, resulting in fierce clashes, according to residents.

Around 180 junta troops from Pyay Township were ambushed by the AA on the road through the Arakan mountains to Taungup Township during the early hours of Friday, said a source.

“The AA ambushed the junta column near Naypu Taung mountain. The two sides are still fighting,” a source told DMG on Friday morning.

Residents said the regime suffered heavy casualties in the ambush. DMG could not independently verify those reports.

Battalions in Taungup reportedly provided cover fire support for the junta reinforcements.

Military tensions have been running high in Taungup Town, where the 5th Military Operations Command is based. The regime has carefully prepared a defence around the town, sources told DMG.

Junta troops were deployed in department offices and religious buildings after clashes broke out near Taungup’s Chaung Kauk Ward on June 15.

“Around 100 junta soldiers have been deployed at Taungup University. They have dug trenches. Junta soldiers are also deployed across the town,” said a source.

A junta shell landed on the campus of Taungup University on June 17, damaging the house and car of a department head. Junta soldiers have since occupied the university campus, preparing their defence there.

Junta soldiers were also deployed at a high school near the Taungup-Thandwe intersection, and hilltop religious buildings along the Taungup-Padaung road.

Residents from Taungup town and some villages have fled the fighting, but many remain trapped in the town.

“Junta soldiers are present everywhere in the town. So, people dare not go out of their homes. We don’t know what to do if clashes intensify,” said a resident pinned down in Taungup Town.

The junta’s 5th Military Operations Command and Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 544 and 346 are based in Taungup Township. Muslim conscripts have also been deployed in the town as AA forves have closed in on Taungup.

The AA has been attacking junta positions in Maungdaw, Thandwe, Ann and Taungup townships in recent weeks. Sporadic clashes have also been reported in Kyaukphyu Township.