AA attacks two BGF outposts in Maungdaw Twsp

By Admin 02 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
2 January 2024, Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) reportedly launched attacks on two Border Guard Force (BGF) outposts near Kyaungnabay and Kainggyi villages in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, simultaneously at about 7 p.m. on January 1.

The AA attacked a BGF outpost near Kyaungnabay Village, where about 60 junta soldiers and BGF members are stationed, with the fighting lasting at least 40 minutes.

“We heard the sounds of heavy weapons and small arms fire last night. The fighting was fierce. We didn’t hear the gunfire this morning,” said a resident of Kyaungnabay Village.

Junta troops reportedly entered Kyaungnabay Village and torched the homes at about 6 p.m. on December 22 after clashing with AA personnel near the village in the morning, with residents fleeing to safer locations.

Kyaungnabay Village is home to about 250 people from 40 households, and around 30 homes were reduced to ashes by the junta artillery strikes and arson attacks, locals told DMG.

The AA also launched an assault on a BGF outpost near Kainggyi Village in Maungdaw Township yesterday, with the fighting lasting about an hour, according to local people.

“A fierce clash broke out last night. We heard the sounds of multiple mortar shells. We didn’t hear the gunfire today,” said a local in Kainggyi Village.

Kainggyi Village is home to nearly 500 people across 90 households, and most villagers have fled to safer locations since November due to the possibility of fighting near the village.

Hundreds of people displaced by the fighting are facing food shortages and are struggling to make ends meet.

“We face various hardships and are in need of food and warm clothes because we brought nothing when we fled our homes,” said a local woman from Kyaungnabay Village.

The AA seized more than 140 BGF outposts and police stations abandoned by junta troops, as well as two tactical command bases, within the first 45 days of the latest hostilities in Arakan State, which began on November 13, the ethnic armed group has said.

Among the military camps targeted by the AA, most have been completely captured, while others have been partially captured and or are on the verge of being completely taken, the ethnic armed group said in a statement.