Tatmadaw allegedly seizes AA’s temporary camp in Ponnagyun Township

By Khine Roe La/ Win Nyunt 18 Oct 2019

Khaing Roe La/Win Nyunt/ DMG

18 October, Sittwe

A Tatmadaw column has reportedly captured a temporary camp of the Arakan Army (AA) near Yoe Ta Yoke Village in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State at about 2 p.m. on 18 October, the spokesperson for the Myanmar military’s Western Command Col Win Zaw Oo told the DMG.

Based on an anonymous tip that some members of the Arakan Army (AA) were being stationed near a mountain locally known as “Kyauk Pon Taung”, north of Yoe Ta Yoke Village, the Tatmadaw launched an attack on a temporary camp belonging to the AA on 17 October and seized it this afternoon, he added.

“We found some food and landmines at the seized camp,” the military spokesperson said. None of the Tatmadaw members were killed or injured in the clash but some fighters from Arakan Army (AA) were hurt, Colonel Win Zaw Oo said.

He went on to say that the Tatmadaw is currently conducting a clearance operation in that area.

The AA spokesman Khaing Thukha denied the Tatmadaw’s claim, saying no battle with Myanmar Army in this area occurred.

He went on to say that the AA clashed with the Tatmadaw about 2 kilometers north of Aung Ma Kyaw Village in Ponnagyun Township on 17 and 18 October.

“The Tatmadaw constantly fired artillery shells since dawn and stopped at about 9 a.m. The Tatmadaw’s ground offensive engaged in fierce clashes with the Arakan Army,” Khaing Thukha said.

The Arakan Army released a statement, saying the group captured a logistic base of the Tatmadaw near Tin Nyo Village, Mrauk-U Township on 17 October and seized munitions, military equipment, documents and rations. But the Tatmadaw denied the AA’s claims.