AA continues assault on last standing junta battalion in Maungdaw

By Admin 29 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
29 November 2024, Maungdaw

The Arakkha Army (AA) remains committed to seizing control of the military’s Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on November 28.

“The AA continues to launch an offensive assault on the regime’s Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5, the last standing junta battalion in besieged Arakan State’s Maungdaw,” the statement added.

Battle for control of the Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 has been ongoing for months, with the regime responding to the AA onslaught with artillery, aerial and naval support.

The AA began the battle for control of Maungdaw on August 4 and had seized almost the entirety of Maungdaw Township by the last week of August, except for Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5.

Wai Hun Aung, an Arakanese writer, said he viewed the battle for control of Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 as being delayed by the regime’s strong defensive preparations and harassment by Muslim militiamen.

“The regime has prepared a defence well at Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5, with the help of Muslim militiamen. It is believed that the AA is conserving its strength and taking its time to attack Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5,” he added.

The regime sent reinforcements to Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 and has been firing mortar shells and conducting airstrikes on residential areas.

Three homes were burned to the ground as an artillery shell fired by Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 fell and exploded in Maungdaw’s Kanyintan Ward on November 28. Two junta jet fighters dropped bombs on Kyauk Hlay Kar Village in Maungdaw Township at around 9 p.m. on November 28.

“Two junta jet fighters dropped bombs on the village yesterday night. No civilian casualties were reported, but locals were frightened by the junta air assault,” said a source on the ground.

Locals say civilian casualties are rising in Maungdaw Township due to the regime’s artillery attacks and airstrikes, and many are living in fear.

In the 12 months since fighting between the Myanmar military and AA resumed in November of last year, the ethnic armed group has seized Pauktaw, Myebon, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Ramree, and Thandwe townships in Arakan State, plus Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.