Junta troops at besieged hilltop camp in Bago face food and water shortages

By Admin 30 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

30 December 2025, Padaung Township, Bago Region

Junta troops stationed at the Point 666 hilltop camp near Ma Thone Village, close to the military’s weapons factory No. 16 in Padaung Township, Bago Region, are facing shortages of food and drinking water, according to military sources on the ground.

The Arakan Army (AA) and allied forces have been surrounding the hilltop camp for months, repeatedly intercepting attempts to deliver supplies and reinforcements.

A military source said the junta has made multiple failed efforts to resupply the camp from weapons factory No. 16.

“The Point 666 hilltop camp has been under siege for months. The junta soldiers are running out of food and water. They were reinforced with food and manpower from weapons factory No. 16 twice, and both attempts were attacked and destroyed. Ground forces later took over but were also attacked, with some bodies recovered. They retreated in disarray. The military regime is now relying on air support, so the fighting is fierce,” the source said.

The AA and allied forces captured the Point 666 hilltop camp in October, but the military regime later retook it using heavy force. The camp is currently surrounded by allied forces.

Attempts to transport reinforcements and supplies from weapons factory No. 16 to the hilltop camp were made twice, in early December and on December 20, but were attacked en route. On December 28, junta troops were again attacked while unloading supplies, according to the source.

Padaung Township is strategically important for the military regime, as it hosts several weapons factories and borders both Arakan State and Ayeyarwady Region.

“The Padaung front is militarily important for both sides. It cannot be lost because four weapons factories are located there. It is also a key junction linking Bago, Arakan, and Ayeyarwady. Whoever controls it can influence military operations across these three regions, so fighting will remain intense,” said a local military observer.

Weapons factory Nos. 5, 6, 9 and 16 are based at the Otshipin military station in Padaung Township, western Bago Region, where clashes between junta troops and allied forces have intensified.

The AA and allied forces have been fighting in Padaung Township since January 2025, with offensives reaching weapons factory Nos. 6 and 16.