Junta troops, AA clash nearly 180 times since October 

By Admin 21 Mar 2024

DMG Newsroom
21 March 2024, Sittwe

A total of 179 clashes took place between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) over the past six months, since the launch of the anti-regime offensive known as Operation 1027  on October 27, according to BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor.

The two sides clashed once in October, followed by 32 clashes in November, 36 in December, 54 in January and 46 in February, according to BNI records. The two sides had clashed 10 times this month as of March 12.

“The AA’s offensives against the regime have intensified since a ceasefire was brokered by China [in northern Shan State] in January 2024,” reads the BNI report.

The AA has so far seized eight townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. It is attacking to seize Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships next.

Fifty towns have fallen across the country since the launch of Operation 1027, and the AA has seized the largest number of towns among the anti-regime armed groups.

“As Major-General Twan Mrat Naing has vowed to continue to fight for complete control of the entire Rakhine [Arakan] State, the momentum of the subsequent operation of Operation 1027 is leading to the liberation of Arakan,” said BNI.

Fighting has been raging for more than four months in Arakan State since the AA launched an offensive in November of last year. More than 300,000 have been displaced by the fighting.