AA says its forces close to capturing four more towns in Arakan State

By Admin 14 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 November 2024, Mrauk-U

The Arakkha Army (AA) said on Wednesday — the one-year anniversary of the resumption of fighting between its forces and the Myanmar military in Arakan State — that it is just one step away from capturing four more towns in Arakan State; namely Maungdaw, Ann, Taungup and Gwa. 

The statement reads: “The AA has been attacking the remaining junta positions one after another to achieve its objectives of putting the entire Arakan State in the hands of the Arakkha people as quickly as possible, and driving the Myanmar military out of Arakan State.”

During the past year of military operations, the AA has taken control of 10 townships in the Arakan State as well as Paletwa in neighbouring Chin State. Fighting has been raging in Ann, Taungup, Gwa, and Maungdaw towns as junta troops defend against the AA’s attacks.

The AA has captured eight of 18 military battalions and units in Ann Township. It is fighting against the 10 other battalions, including the Western Command.

In Maungdaw, the AA is continuing its assault on the last junta battalion, Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5, in the town. It is also gaining ground in its offensives on Taungup and Gwa.

The AA has not yet launched offensives in Manaung, the Arakan State capital Sittwe, and Kyaukphyu Town, the site of several large Chinese investments.

Veteran Arakanese politician U Pe Than said: “The AA has encircled Sittwe. I think it will attack it after capturing Maungdaw. It will also take time to develop a strategy before attacking both Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. There could be heavy civilian casualties if clashes break out in those coastal towns. The regime could use heavy artillery to attack them. It could also use the Navy to provide artillery support. So, the AA may take time.” 

Political and military observers anticipate that if the AA can continue to tally advances on the battlefield, it will likely achieve its goal of liberating Arakan State from the grip of the military regime by sometime next year.