Fighting escalates in southern Arakan State

By Admin 02 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
2 April 2024, Sittwe

Fighting between the military regime and the Arakan Army (AA) has been escalating day by day in southern Arakan State, said the AA’s Nova 1 Military Region on Tuesday.

Since launching an offensive against the regime in November of last year, the AA has seized Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw townships in northern Arakan State, and Myebon and Ramree townships in southern Arakan State, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

Fighting has been raging in Ann Township, southern Arakan State, and neighbouring Magwe Region since March 26, said the AA. The Myanmar military’s Western Command is based in Ann Township.

“We heard shelling every day. I think the Myanmar military is responding to the AA attacks with artillery,” said an Ann resident.

Fighting is fierce in Ann Township as the regime is defending its positions with air and artillery support.

The AA clashed with junta troops belonging to the Light Infantry Battalion under the 5th Military Operations Command near Lone Village in Ann Township on March 26. The fighting lasted for about 30 minutes, during which 30 junta soldiers were killed and weapons were seized, said the AA.

DMG could not independently verify those reports.

The AA is also attacking to seize Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. The fighting is fierce as the regime is using its army, navy and air force to defend the frontier towns.

The two sides clashed for a few minutes near the junta tactical command base in Khamaungseik, said a Maungdaw resident.

“We have been forced to flee the town as the regime fires artillery shells daily,” he said.

The AA said in its statement on Friday that it had stepped up its attack on the Kyein Chaung border guard police station in Maungdaw.

“The fighting between the regime and the AA will continue to escalate as the AA is trying to seize more towns,” said a politician from Arakan State.

The AA is attacking to seize Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Ann townships, and carrying out operations in Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Thandwe and Gwa townships.