AA ramps up assault on junta battalions in Thandwe

By Admin 04 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
4 June 2024, Thandwe

The theatre of conflict between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) in southern Arakan State, which began near Kwaychaung and Yaysin villages, has expanded into Thandwe as junta reinforcements to the town have been accompanied by ongoing fighting in more rural parts of the township.

The AA has been stepping up offensive attacks on junta troops to gain control of the town, with the regime conducting joint army, navy and air force operations to defend against the AA onslaught.

The AA has been clashing with the military near Got Village, about two miles from Ngapali Town, since 4 p.m. on Sunday, with hostilities continuing to escalate on Monday.

“The military fiercely clashed with the AA yesterday; the regime conducted joint army, navy and air force operations. The military’s Y-12 jet fighters dropped several bombs last night and the junta naval ships fired multiple mortar shells,” said a local Thandwe resident.

DMG continues to investigate the details surrounding civilian casualties caused by the junta shelling of Got Village.

Got Village is located about two miles from the military’s Thandwe-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 566, and the AA has been attempting to seize the military outpost.

The regime’s Thandwe-based Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 55 and 566 in addition to naval forces have been stationed in Ngapali Town. The regime has sent reinforcements to the military’s LIB 566 to defend against the AA offensive.

“The regime is worried that the AA will attack the military’s LIB 566 as the ethnic armed group eliminated the military columns near Got Village. The regime sent reinforcements escorted by armoured vehicles to the LIB 566,” said a source close to the AA.

Fighting has been raging in Thandwe Township for more than one month, since the Arakkha Army (AA) unleashed an onslaught on junta positions near the Tha Htay Chaung hydropower dam project on April 13. Dozens of junta soldiers, including a junta deputy battalion commander, were killed in clashes with the AA in Thandwe Township.

The military regiments active near the Tha Htay Chaung hydropower dam project have retreated from the area, taking advantage of bad weather conditions in recent days, the AA chief said in an interview with VOA on June 3.

“Fighting between the military and AA broke out at locations about two miles from Thandwe. The AA seems to be attempting to seize Ngapali-based junta battalions to take control of Thandwe,” said one military and political analyst.

The AA announced on June 2 that the ethnic armed group had so far seized nine out of 17 townships in Arakan State and would attempt to take control of the remaining eight.