Fighting continues on mountain route linking Gwa and Ayeyarwady

By Admin 19 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
19 December 2024, Gwa

Fighting has flared up between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) on the road through the Arakan Mountains linking Gwa Township in Arakan State with Ngathaingchaung in Ayeyarwady Region.

The fighting broke out near Bawdi Village on the mountain road connecting Gwa and Ngathaingchaung on Tuesday, with the two sides competing for control of the road.

A source close to the AA said: “The fighting is taking place some 20 miles from Ayeyarwady Region and 25 miles from Gwa. The AA is trying to control that route, and the junta is defending with airstrikes and heavy artillery. The AA is trying to cut off the route used by the regime to supply its troops in Arakan.”

The source added that this road is also crucial for the regime to send reinforcements to Gwa, and the AA’s control of the route means significant losses for the regime.

The AA has banned travelling on the route as the junta is continuously shelling the area with airstrikes and heavy artillery.

The regime has deployed an artillery unit on a hill some 20 miles on the road to Ngathaingchaung and has ordered residents farming on the hill to vacate, a source told DMG.

“They are preparing the ground to put up artillery and have ordered the removal of all huts on the hill,” the source said.

The regime has tightened security in Ngathaingchaung, Yekyi, Thabaung, Chaungtha, Kyangin, and Myanaung townships in Ayeyarwady Region in response to the clashes.

The regime has also stepped up inspections of households targeting displaced people from Arakan State, according to a Gwa resident taking shelter in Ayeyarwady Region.

“Locals in Ayeyarwady townships near the Arakan Mountains are anxious, wondering if they will have to flee,” the source said.

The fighting in Gwa continues to be intense, with the AA reporting on Wednesday that they have captured many junta soldiers, weapons, and ammunition.

Civilian buildings in Gwa have been damaged or destroyed by the junta’s airstrikes and artillery shelling during the fighting.

“There were fires in the past few days. Houses and shops were burnt after being hit by artillery shells,” said a local source.

After defeating junta positions between Kyeintali and Gwa towns, the AA is focused on attacking Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 562 and 563 in Gwa Town.

The AA has seized 12 of 17 townships in Arakan State plus Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. It has also seized Ann Town, and only Gwa, Kyaukphyu, Manaung and Sittwe towns remain under the junta’s control.