Junta fortifies Kyeintali as AA forces close in

By Admin 10 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 August 2024, Gwa

Myanmar’s military regime has fortified Kyeintali Town in Arakan State’s Gwa Township to defend against attacks from the Arakkha Army (AA).

The regime began fortifying Kyeintali after the AA attacked a junta position near Chinkwin  Village in Gwa Township, 26 miles from Gwa Town, on Thursday. Around 80 junta soldiers were deployed there, and they fled on Saturday, sources told DMG.

Junta soldiers are deployed atop tall buildings and religious buildings in Kyeintali, and have also taken positions around the town, said a resident.

“Around half of the town residents have fled. Hundreds of junta soldiers have been deployed in the town,” he said.

Thousands of residents from Kyeintali Town and nearby villages have fled to Gwa Town and Ayeyarwady Region since Thursday’s fighting.

One activist from Gwa Township said: “Residents in Gwa Township must flee now as fighting has spread to Gwa Township. They must learn from incidents in Thandwe Township. The regime will not spare civilians when it is hurt.”

Two junta battalions — Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 562 and 563 — are based in Gwa Town. The regime has planted landmines around Gwa and Kyeintali towns since June, and has also brought in reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region.