Arakan Army targets Myanmar Junta’s Rakhine power hub
Fighting between Myanmar’s junta and the Arakan Army (AA) has been reported in Maungdaw, Gwa, Taungup and Ann townships in Rakhine State, The Irrawaddy reports.
In Ann and Gwa, the AA said it seized two battalion headquarters and two outposts on Wednesday. The Tai Kyoe and Pagan Taung outposts in Gwa fell after a day of attacks.
The AA has been attempting to seize Gwa for a month and has surrounded the township. The AA has been trying since early October to block junta access to Ann Township, where the Western Command headquarters is based.
The AA has seized the large Sway Chaung and Mae Taung outposts, Light Infantry Battalions 372 and 373, a field medical battalion, a logistics battalion and other junta strongholds in the township
On Wednesday evening, the AA seized Light Infantry Battalion 371 headquarters and an Ordnance Corps base in Ann, according to AA sources.
Clashes and daily junta airstrikes have been reported in Taungup this week, according to residents.
“The AA has seized the Mount Pan Mrauk artillery battalion base and the military is trying to take it back with repeated artillery and airstrikes,” said a Taungup resident.
Taungup contains the Military Operations Command 5 and Light Infantry Battalion 544 and 346 headquarters and sources say AA forces are 10km from the town.
Fighting in Maungdaw has been reported as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) coordinates with the junta to repel the AA offensive.
Former captain Zin Yaw, who defected from the military after the 2021 coup, told The Irrawaddy that junta airstrikes have been targeting Maungdaw to support Border Guard Police (BGP) Battalion 5, where many junta personnel have congregated from across northern Rakhine State.
“Junta airstrikes have been delayed by heavy rain but the AA is struggling to also fight the ARSA as it tries to seize BGP Battalion 5 in Maungdaw,” he said.
