AA eyes capture of Taungup-based No. 5 Military Operations Command

By Admin 09 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 October 2024, Taungup

The Arakkha Army (AA) has besieged the military’s Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 346 and 544 under the command of the No. 5 Military Operations Command, along with other nearby camps, and is preparing to seize control of Taungup, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on October 7.

The AA has so far seized the No. 9 Military Operations Command in Kyauktaw and the No. 15 Military Operations Command in Buthidaung, Arakan State.

“I think the AA is attempting to seize the military camps and junta bases because the regime has stepped up aerial bombardments on civilian areas in Taungup Township over recent days. Residents in Taungup are preparing to flee the town,” said a local resident.

Junta airstrikes killed at least 20 civilians and injured over 10 others in Taungup Township in the first week of October.

The regime has prepared a defence at Taungup’s entries and exits, and is conducting tight security checks on locals.

The regime also destroyed some parts of a road near the entrance to Taungup and the University of Taungup using a backhoe.

“We hear the sounds of heavy weapons fired by the military’s No. 5 Military Operations Command. The regime has tightened security checks at entries and exits of Taungup since the fighting in June and set up new bunkers near the military regiments,” said another Taungup resident.

Clashes between the military and AA are ongoing in Ann, Gwa and Maungdaw townships and military tensions between the two sides are running high in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. The AA has announced that it intends to seize all military camps and junta bases in Arakan State.