Military airlifting food to last-standing battalion in besieged Maungdaw

By Admin 30 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
30 October 2024, Maungdaw

The Myanmar military has been airlifting food to Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5, the last standing junta battalion in besieged Arakan State's Maungdaw, according to sources.

A Y-12 military aircraft has been providing supplies support to the battalion and nearby positions since the last week of October, said one source.

"A Y-12 military aircraft airlifted food to the Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 yesterday. During the days of the battle, the regime has protected the area with jet fighter jets so that it could be replenished with food," the source added.

The Arakkha Army (AA) stepped up an offensive on October 14, with the intention of capturing Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5, but fighting has ceased since October 28, according to locals.

"The fighting has stopped for two days. No gunshots were heard. Fighting erupts when the AA attacks. The junta jet fighter fires all night when it clashes with the AA," said a Maungdaw resident with knowledge of the military situation.

Maungdaw, on the western edge of Arakan State, is important for the regime both militarily and symbolically, so the town is being fiercely defended by junta forces using aerial support. The battle for control of Maungdaw has been months-long and continues with no signs of abating.

Given the stakes, the regime has been escalating its campaign of airstrikes, prompting residents of surrounding villages to flee to locations deemed safer.

It has been more than 11 months since the latest fighting broke out in Arakan State, with clashes between the military regime and AA escalating in Maungdaw and Ann townships.