Junta steps up attacks on AA in Arakan State-adjacent territories

By Admin 11 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

11 September 2025, Mrauk-U

The Arakan Army has reported that Myanmar's military regime has intensified its offensives in Magway, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions, which border Arakan State, and clashes with resistance forces are ongoing.

The Arakan Army said on September 10 that a Myanmar military contingent consisting of soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 574, 569, 575, 577, 520 and 295 under the No. 14 Military Operations Command and No. 17 Military Operations Command was conducting an offensive in townships in Magway and Ayeyarwady regions bordering Arakan State.

"The military regime is no longer able to fight the Arakan Army with the battalions under the No. 99 Light Infantry Division, so it has been fighting with the battalions that have achieved success in northern Shan State," a military source said. "The main reason is that the military regiments in northern Shan State are the units with the highest morale, so they are shifting their troops to fight the Arakan Army."

The Arakan Army's statement also said that junta battalions in northern Shan State suffered losses and retreated under the Arakan Army's counterattack.

The Arakan Army announced on Wednesday that about 70 junta soldiers were killed and a large amount of weapons and ammunition were seized in clashes near Suntet Village in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region, which took place on September 4 and 7.

The military regime is launching an offensive to retake areas occupied by the Arakan Army in Magway Region. Initially, it launched an offensive with troops under the No. 99 Light Infantry Division, but failing that, swapped in the new troops for a renewed offensive.

Military observers say the regime is attempting to launch an offensive against Ann town using junta troops from northern Shan State through the Nat Yay Kan junta base in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region.

"The No. 17 Military Operations Command launched two battalions and attacked the Arakan Army on September 4 and 7, resulting in the loss of 70 lives. Their objective was to advance from the Nat Yay Kan junta base to Ann town. The No. 99 Light Infantry Division was defeated at the Nat Yay Kan junta base, and the No. 17 Military Operations Command may also be defeated," said Captain Zin Yaw, a participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).

The military regime is making desperate efforts to regain control of areas under martial law, and has regained control of some towns and areas in northern Shan State.

The military regime is also looking to retake territory in Arakan State, but thus far has not seen similar success.

Military analysts say the regime could launch offensives from Paletwa, attacking Magway, Bago, and Ayeyarwady, as well as the Yaw region and Chin State, to enter Arakan State.