Junta sends reinforcements to besieged positions in Thandwe and Gwa

By Admin 27 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 August 2024, Thandwe

The military regime is reinforcing its troops in Thandwe and Gwa townships to defend against the Arakkha Army’s (AA) ongoing onslaughts there, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on Monday.

Fierce clashes are ongoing at the Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe Township and in Kyaukparsat and Kalarpyin villages near Kyeintali Town in Gwa Township.

“Fighting continues to escalate as the regime is sending troops and weapons to the scenes of clashes and firing mortar shells,” said the AA.

The regime is primarily relying on water routes to send reinforcements to Thandwe and Gwa to defend the two townships against the AA attacks. The regime has used eight warships to transport junta reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region via Gwa Township, said a military source.

“The regime has prepared a defence and used eight warships to transport junta reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region via Gwa Township. Fighting is still fierce,” the military source added.

The AA has banned civilian boats including fishing vessels from going to the sea since August 1.

The regime relies on water routes to send reinforcements to Arakan State because it is unable to use aircrafts and military trucks to transport junta troops, said a military analyst in Arakan State.

“The regime depends on the waterway to transport its troops to Arakan State. Junta reinforcements cannot be sent via land routes. Reinforcement of troops by military aircrafts is no longer effective for the regime,” the analyst explained.

The AA began attacking the military’s Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe Township on July 20, with the regime defending against the AA assault with aerial and artillery support.

Fighting has displaced thousands of local people in Thandwe and Gwa townships in recent months.