Fighting flares up in Taungup

By Admin 10 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 December 2024, Taungup

Fighting has escalated in Taungup Township as the Arakkha Army (AA) attacks the junta’s No. 5 Military Operations Command.

The regime used warplanes to defend the town against the AA’s attack. An airstrike on Monday evening destroyed at least eight buildings in Taungup’s Kanpaing Ward.

“The regime used artillery and air support. It dropped bombs on many places around 7 p.m. on Monday, destroying at least eight houses in Kanpaing Ward,” said a local source.

There were no casualties reported as most Taungup residents had already fled the fighting.

A junta jet bombed Thandwe junction and its vicinity in Kanpaing Ward on December 4, destroying a church and 15 houses.

Myanmar military sympathisers reported that the two sides clashed after the AA attacked the outposts of Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 346 and 544 at around 1:30 a.m. on Monday.

Sources from the battlefield reported heavy fighting near the No. 5 Military Operations Command and Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 544 and 346.

“It seems like Taungup might soon fall. The AA is conducting strong offensives, and there are reports of soldiers inside the No. 5 Military Operations Command considering surrender. There are also reports of food shortages among the junta troops,” said a Taungup resident.

Intense daily clashes are occurring in Ann, Taungup, and Gwa townships, while Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung are relatively calm for the moment.

The AA has captured Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ramree, and Thandwe townships and Taungup and Ann towns in Arakan State, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.