Military families evacuated as AA advances toward key junta weapons factory

By Admin 18 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

18 May 2026, Padaung, Bago Region

As the offensive of the Arakan Army (AA) and allied forces has currently reached within 3 miles of No. 16 junta weapons factory [KaPaSa 16] in Padaung Township, Bago Region, evacuations of military family members and some female soldiers to the Southern Command based in Taungoo have reportedly been carried out since May 14.

After a coalition force led by the Arakan Army attacked and blockaded Point 500 hilltop camp, the forward outpost of KaPaSa 16, since May 4, the regime has been relocating military family members from inside KaPaSa 16 as the situation is reportedly unfavorable.

A local source said: “After Point 500 hilltop camp, the forward outpost of KaPaSa 16, was attacked, evacuations of military family members and some female soldiers to the Southern Command are being carried out. They are especially relocating the families of officers, children, and women. Because they failed to relocate family members in advance during the Arakan fighting, leading to entire battalions surrendering, they are now preparing ahead of time.”

While the Arakan Army and allied forces are blockading and attacking Point 500 hilltop camp, intense fighting is also taking place around Nyaungkyoe Village.

Military sources said that as KaPaSa 16 is a gunpowder factory, it is highly crucial for the regime, and defensive preparations are being strengthened within the factory compound.

Military observers analyzed that while the regime normally tends to conduct reinforcements rather than relocate families, the current evacuation of families could be linked to difficulties in reinforcing manpower.

Captain Zin Yaw, a CDM participant, said: “The evacuation of officer family members and military family members from KaPaSa 16 must be due to some critical matter. Under normal circumstances, they would reinforce manpower to prepare defences rather than relocate families. Currently, both offensive and defensive actions remain stalled around Point 506 hilltop camp. In between, Point 363 and Point 288 camps still remain. I assume they are relocating family members because they can no longer reinforce manpower.”

The Arakan Army stated that on the Padaung front, regime forces are resisting with battalions under Military Operations Command 10 and Military Operations Command 17.

The Arakan Army and allied forces have captured and controlled regime military camps on the Padaung front in Bago Region, and are militarily threatening KaPaSa 16 and KaPaSa 6.

Military observers analyzed that as KaPaSa 5, KaPaSa 6, KaPaSa 9, and KaPaSa 16 are located at the Ottshipin military station in Padaung Township, western Bago Region, the regime is expected to put up fierce resistance.