Battle for Gwa rages on

By Admin 12 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 December 2024, Gwa

Fierce fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) has reportedly been ongoing in Gwa Township, Arakan State, since December 10.

The AA clashed with the military at Yahai Kudoh Village, about one mile from Gwa, and Shwe Nan Khaing Village on Thursday, with the regime responding to the ethnic armed group’s attack with aerial and artillery support.

“The regime bombed the AA positions along the mountain range west of Shwe Nan Khaing Village. Junta artillery units in downtown Gwa fired mortar shells into the scene of the fighting. Fighting between the AA and military is fierce,” said a military source.

The AA stepped up an offensive attack on the military in an attempt to seize Gwa, whereas the regime is sending reinforcements to Gwa in an attempt to prevent the town from being seized by the AA.

“I don’t know exactly whether junta soldiers surrendered or not. The clash between the AA and military is fiercer than yesterday. The sounds of heavy weapons and small arms fire were heard,” said a source on the ground.

The AA says the regime, which has lost much of its territory in Arakan State, has used drones in addition to aerial and naval attacks to prevent the remaining towns from falling to the ethnic armed group.

Gwa Township is closely linked to Ayeyarwady Region and holds strategic importance as AA control of the township would allow the ethnic armed group to pose a threat to the military’s hold over the delta region.

“If the AA were to capture Gwa Town, it would have a significant military advantage and could automatically threaten the Ayeyarwady Region militarily. If the AA were to take control of Gwa, it would also have a significant impact on the allied resistance forces. Therefore, the regime is sending reinforcements to defend Gwa Town, so that it does not fall into the hands of the AA,” said a military observer in Arakan State.

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