Junta’s indiscriminate attacks destroy homes in Gwa

By Admin 17 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 December 2024, Gwa

The military regime’s airstrikes and artillery attacks have reportedly destroyed many homes in Gwa as the Arakkha Army (AA) launches an offensive to capture the town in Arakan State.

Several homes were reduced to ashes in junta air assaults and artillery attacks on Gwa’s Myoma Ward, near the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 563, and Ale and Kan Chay Oo villages, on the morning of December 16.

“Fighting between the military and AA broke out for five consecutive days. Many homes in Ale, a fishing village in Gwa [Township], were burned to the ground. We can’t confirm the number of homes destroyed by the regime attacks,” said a local resident.

Gwa is home to the military’s Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 562 and 563. The regime has prepared a defence in Gwa Town and set up an artillery unit in neighbouring Ma Kyay Ngu Village.

The AA launched the battle for control of Gwa Town by attacking the military's Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 563 on December 13.

The regime has reinforced Gwa with two artillery units and has been regularly bringing in reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region since the end of November, according to military sources.

“The regime sends reinforcements to Ann and Gwa on a daily basis. Junta convoys are often ambushed by the anti-regime forces,” a local resident explained.

As the AA launched attacks on Gwa-based military regiments, some junta soldiers, as well as police officers from the Gwa police station, retreated across the Gwa Chaung Bridge to Ma Kyay Ngu Village.

The AA, which has seized control of several townships in Arakan State, continues its relentless offensive to capture the remaining towns.

Over the past year, the AA has seized 13 towns in Arakan State plus Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.