Battle for Gwa Town intensifies

By Admin 16 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 December 2024, Gwa

The Arakkha Army (AA) is ramping up an offensive against the military to take control of Gwa Town, with the regime fiercely defending its positions against the ethnic armed group's attacks with army, navy and aerial support.

The AA launched the battle for control of Gwa Town by attacking the military's Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 563 on December 13, according to sources close to the ethnic armed group.

"Two junta jet fighters dropped bombs on Gwa Town at around 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Monday, hitting a hospital and a filling station," said a military source.

Gwa is home to the military's Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 562 and 563. The regime has prepared a defence in Gwa Town and set up an artillery unit in neighbouring Ma Kyay Ngu Village.

The regime has reinforced Gwa with two artillery units and has been regularly bringing in reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region since the end of November, according to military sources.

"Fighting is escalating in Gwa. We are worried about the safety of locals trapped by fighting in downtown Gwa. Some residents who were displaced by fighting and fled to Ayeyarwady Region returned home due to livelihood hardships. IDPs returnees are currently trapped by fighting," said a resident of Gwa.

The AA, which has seized control of several townships in Arakan State, continues its relentless offensive to capture the remaining towns.

Over the past year, the AA has seized 13 towns in Arakan State plus Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.