AA attacks Tinma tactical command base in Kyauktaw Twsp

By Admin 26 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
26 December 2023, Kyauktaw

Fighting between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) intensified after the ethnic armed group launched an attack on a junta tactical command base near Tinma Village in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, on December 25.

The military responded to the AA’s offensive with artillery attacks and aerial support during the hostilities.

The AA attacked a junta tactical command base on Mount Taungshae east of Tinma Village beginning at around 9 a.m. on December 25, with the fighting lasting for at least eight hours.

“The fighting lasted for many hours from the morning to evening. The military responded to the AA’s attack with artillery attacks and aerial support during the hostilities. Some mortar shells fell near the village. A junta jet fighter conducted an airstrike at about 10 p.m.,” said a local resident.

The fighting displaced hundreds of local people from Wetmakya, Thanpayardaunt and Khapaw villages.

The Tinma battle continued to escalate in the afternoon of December 26, locals said.

“We didn’t hear the gunfire in the morning. We heard the gunfire at about 12 noon on Tuesday. The fighting forced thousands of people from some villages on the western bank of the Kaladan River to flee. We don’t know exactly as to whether there are civilian casualties,” said a displaced villager.

The Tinma tactical command base is located near the border of Kyauktaw and Paletwa townships and is a main point of control for the Kaladan River. Hundreds of troops have been deployed at the base since 2019. There is a junta camp on the Taungshae mountain range near Khapaw Village.

The AA has been making a series of attacks on junta bases, police outposts and military camps along the Kaladan River in Paletwa Township since renewed fighting began last month.

“The AA will continue to attack where they need to. The AA has the upper hand in this battle, so I see that the ethnic armed group will continue to launch offensive attacks on the regime,” said U Aung Thaung Shwe, an Arakanese politician.

Since renewed fighting began on November 13, the AA said it had seized control of 140 junta positions in Arakan State as of December 10.

Meanwhile, fighting between the military and Arakan Army is escalating in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, after the ethnic armed group attacked junta outposts near Letwe Sartaik Village on the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road on December 25.

Fighting has continued to escalate in Arakan State and has spread to 14 townships, with the number of displaced civilians rising daily.