Junta prepares to defend against potential AA attacks in Taungup

By Admin 12 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 April 2024, Taungup

Myanmar’s military regime has been reinforcing its troops in Taungup Township, building more outposts and deploying warships around the town. Residents have also reported seeing troop movements.

“At least six warships are deployed in Thandwe River and near Taungup. We also saw new outposts and frequent troop movements of military columns consisting of nearly 100 junta soldiers,” said a Taungup resident.

Those warships fired at least 10 times at Tanpyaw, Temauk and Mote villages in Taungup Township on April 7 and 8, said residents.

Taungup Township borders Thandwe and Ann townships, and the regime has built new outposts on inter-township roads and surrounding hills.

“Junta troops have increased patrols near those outposts. Some smaller outposts have reinforced their fencing,” said another Taungup resident.

New junta outposts have been built on two hills near Taungup town, and trenches have also been built near local battalions including Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 346 and 544 and the 5th Military Operations Command. Those battalions have also laid minefields around them, said residents.

Another Taungup resident said: “Those trenches are wide enough for a vehicle to drive in. They have built trenches around the battalions, and also planted mines.”

Fighting has not yet broken out in Taungup Township. The Arakha Army (AA) ambushed a junta convoy between Baryay and Mote villages in March.

The AA has vowed to seize total control of Arakan State, and has so far seized eight townships in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township since launching the offensive in November.

It is also continuing an onslaught against junta positions in Ann Township, which borders Taungup, as well as Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.