AA offensive edges closer to Gwa Town

By Admin 03 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 December 2024, Gwa

The battle for control of Arakan State's Gwa, where the Arakkha Army (AA) is conducting a relentless offensive, has now reached Yahai Kudoh Village, about one mile from the town, local sources say.

Fighting began on August 8 in Bogale and Chinkwin villages, on the border between Thandwe and Gwa. The fighting is now moving closer to Gwa Town after the AA captured Kyeintali Town.

Some junta soldiers stationed near Chingon Village in Gwa Township reportedly retreated from the area during a weekend attack by the AA on December 1.

"Junta soldiers retreating from Chingon Village to Alechaung Village clashed with the AA near Kyaukgyi, Sibin and Yahai Kudoh Village. There are sporadic clashes between the AA and the military," said a local man in Gwa Township.

The AA seized a junta camp in Laungkyo Village and an artillery camp on Mt. Bagan in November. The AA also seized control of some military camps in Zigon and Tintaw villages thereafter.

Aid workers say that as the fighting spreads, the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) fleeing Gwa Township is increasing day by day.

Due to the AA offensive, the regime has been preparing a defence in Gwa by reinforcing its positions with junta soldiers from military battalions in Ayeyarwady Region in recent days.

"The regime closed local bazaars, increased its military presence and prepared a defence in Gwa," said an IDP in Gwa Township.

As the AA offensive approaches Gwa Town, the regime has airlifted reinforcements to its Gwa-based Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 562 and 563.

Gwa Township is closely linked to Ayeyarwady Region and holds strategic importance as AA control of the township would allow the ethnic armed group to pose a threat to the military's hold over the delta region.

The AA has seized the majority of Arakan State's 17 townships and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State since the latest fighting with the Myanmar military began in November of last year. Clashes are reported on a near-daily basis as the AA attempts to seize Maungdaw, Ann, Taungup and Gwa townships, the ethnic armed group said in a November 13 statement, on the one-year anniversary of the restart of the Arakan State conflict.