Battle for control of Maungdaw rages on

By Admin 03 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 August 2024, Maungdaw

Fighting has been raging in and around Maungdaw for months as the Arakkha Army (AA) seeks to take control of the border town.

The AA has been launching attacks on Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw’s Myothugyi Ward and a junta camp near Shwezar Village since July 19.

Fighting between the military and AA is escalating as the regime responded to the ethnic armed group’s offensive with airstrikes on Saturday.

“Junta soldiers retreating from BGF Battalion No. 5 and some armed Muslim men defended against the AA assault near the entrance to Maungdaw,” said a military source.

“Fighting is fierce as the AA attacked junta soldiers stationed at Shwezar police station and have reportedly taken positions atop buildings outside Maungdaw,” the source added.

Around 500 junta soldiers who retreated from BGF Battalion No. 5 to Maungdaw on July 30 are reportedly now involved in the regime’s defence of the town.

Multiple mortar shells fired toward AA troop positions were blamed on junta forces.

“Junta soldiers and armed Muslim militiamen fired mortar shells into the scene of clashes in an attempt to prevent the AA from entering Maungdaw Town,” said a reliable source.

The AA has seized control of all junta camps and border guard force outposts in Maungdaw Township and began attacking military positions in downtown Maungdaw on June 16.

Residents say the regime has intentionally destroyed roads and bridges around Maungdaw and has carried out drone attacks on both AA positions and civilian targets.