Myanmar military base in Kayin State seized in surprise raid, says ANC/AA

By DMG 17 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 February 2022, Yangon

The Arakan National Council/Arakan Army and allied armed groups conducted a surprise offensive on February 16 and temporarily seized a Myanmar military artillery base in Kayin State, according to an ANC/AA official.

“Our alliance forces seized a temporary artillery base at Phayagone in Phalu village, in Myawaddy Township. About 60 junta forces and Border Guard Forces are stationed there. It was seized to be able to support the fighting in nearby areas,” Colonel Min Tun from ANC/AA told DMG.

The temporary base is located about 1,500 yards outside of Phalugyi village, and a joint force of soldiers from the ANC/AA, Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army and People’s Defence Force attacked and seized it.

Colonel Min Tun added that the joint forces are monitoring the regime council’s potential response and are ready to fight back.

“We quickly attacked and retreated,” he said. “And we are waiting for their offensive to be readied,” he said.

The attackers seized rocket launchers, guns and communications equipment during the raid on the artillery base, the ANC/AA said, adding that several soldiers were killed.

There have been small clashes near Phalu village and Lay Kay Kaw new town since February 14, with allied armed groups including the ANC/AA fighting against junta forces using guerilla tactics.

DMG phoned the spokesperson for the regime council, Major General Zaw Min Tun, several times seeking comment on the situation at the artillery base in Kayin State, but he could not be reached.

The ANC/AA — an organisation not to be confused with the better known Arakan Army/United League of Arakan (AA/ULA) — is based in Kayin State, and has taken a clear stance in opposition to Myanmar’s junta government since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021.