AA eyes control of Maungdaw region

By Admin 20 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 May 2024, Maungdaw

The Arakkha Army (AA) is ramping up an offensive on Myanmar military positions in an effort to take control of Maungdaw Township following the ethnic armed group’s seizure of Buthidaung Town last week.

The AA is targeting the junta’s Border Guard Force (BGF) battalions and military camps to control the entire Maungdaw region, with the regime using artillery and warplanes to defend against the AA onslaught.

“The AA has surrounded and attacked all the camps in Maungdaw Township. The AA will take control of the entire Maungdaw region after it seizes a junta tactical command base and five military camps. This is the reason why the AA launches attacks on a daily basis,” said a reliable source.

The regime has used artillery and warplanes to defend Maungdaw against the AA attacks. Some junta BGF members have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks due to the AA’s advances.

“The AA repeatedly told the junta soldiers to surrender, but it was learnt that they did not surrender. Dozens of junta soldiers and BGF members reportedly fled to Bangladesh, but I don’t know the number exactly,” said a local resident in Maungdaw.

Multiple civilian casualties have been reported due to the junta airstrikes. A junta air attack on Thayay Konbaung Village in Maungdaw Township injured two civilians and destroyed five homes and a rural healthcare centre on May 19.

The AA has seized several junta bases, military camps and BGF outposts including a BGF headquarters in Maungdaw Township.

Fighting has been raging in Arakan State for more than six months, with the AA seizing large swaths of territory and effective control of Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon, Ramree and Buthidaung townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.