AA verges on seizing Gwa-based LIB No. 562

By Admin 27 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 December 2024, Gwa

Fighting is ongoing and oftentimes intense between the Myanmar military and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Gwa, the southernmost town of Arakan State, with the ethnic armed group reportedly targeting Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 562.

A source close to the AA said that despite the regime’s fierce resistance, including army, navy and aerial support, the AA’s heavy offensive has allowed it to penetrate LIB No. 562 territory.

“Regime forces at the Arakan Mountains provided artillery support while the Myanmar Navy fired mortar shells into the scene of fighting. The regime also conducted airstrikes on AA positions. The military is defending itself by digging tunnels in the barracks. The AA is also attacking hard and has now reached the military’s LIB No. 562,” the source elaborated.

The AA reportedly advised junta soldiers to raise the white flag and surrender to the ethnic armed group.

Some junta soldiers are retreating into the Arakan Mountains, and the fighting is reportedly intense as the AA is cutting them off and attacking them.

The AA seized control of the military’s LIB No. 563 in Gwa’s Myoma Ward on December 20, and has continued to attack LIB No. 562.

The AA is currently blocking the Gwa-Ngathainggyaung road, which links Gwa in the southernmost part of Arakan State with Ngathainggyaung Township in Ayeyarwady Region, and is also attacking the regime’s temporary military outposts along the road, according to a source on the ground.

“There are at least three military outposts along the Arakan Mountains that are being attacked by the AA. Some junta soldiers surrendered to the AA,” the source added.

Due to local fighting, many Gwa residents are fleeing the fighting in Thandwe Township and taking refuge in townships in Ayeyarwady Region.

The AA announced on December 20 that it had seized two-thirds of Gwa. The AA is currently attacking the remaining junta battalion and military camps in Gwa, and clashes with military regiments under the 11th Light Infantry Division are ongoing.

The AA has reported that the regime, which has suffered a string of consequential military defeats in Arakan State over recent months, has resorted to burning down villages and homes and destroying bridges in Gwa Township.

If Gwa falls, the AA will only have three other townships in Arakan State to occupy: Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung, the ethnic armed group has said.