Fighting escalates in Gwa Twsp after regime loses Thandwe to AA

By Admin 11 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
11 September 2024, Gwa

Fighting between Myanmar's military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) has escalated in Gwa Township, Arakan State, after the ethnic armed group seized control of Thandwe Township last month.

Clashes between the military and AA have been reported near Sarchet and Kaingkhon villages and the Gantgawkyun Reservoir in Gwa Township since September 4, and the fighting continued to intensify as of September 11, according to military sources.

The regime provided aerial and artillery support to the scenes of fighting and conducted an airstrike on Wednesday, said one such source.

"Fighting between the AA and military is reported on a daily basis. The regime defended against the AA attacks with aerial and naval support. Myanmar Navy vessels fire mortar shells into the scenes of fighting daily," the military source added.

The regime has prepared a defence near Kaingkhon Village and sent reinforcements from its Gwa-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 562.

"The regime suffered heavy casualties in a clash with the AA near the Gantgawkyun Reservoir. The regime is worried that it will lose territories between Kyeintali and Gwa to the AA. This is the reason why the military is responding to the AA onslaught with naval support," said another military source.

Fighting began in Gwa Township on August 8 and the AA seized control of Kyeintali Town days later.

In addition to the perils of active conflict, local people in Gwa Township face shortages of food and medicine due to junta blockades.

Fighting in Gwa Township had ceased for a while, but with Maungdaw on the verge of falling to the AA and the ethnic armed group's conquest of Thandwe Township, clashes in Gwa have intensified.

"The AA has said that it will seize the entire Arakan State, so it will attack and occupy all towns step by step according to its military objective," said a military analyst in Arakan State.

The AA, which has seized control of the majority of Arakan State's 17 townships and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State since the latest fighting began in November of last year, is currently stepping up offensives in attempts to capture Sittwe, Ann and Kyaukphyu townships.