( The photo was releasedby AA after some Junta forces along with arms and ammunition were captured inthe fighting on 18 July, 2022.)

Narinjara News, 23 August 2022

Fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and theBurmese military is presently going on in northern Rakhine State and Paletwatownship of Chin State, where even some military bases were deserted bythe army personnel, said a source close to the AA.

The fighting is concentrated near the Metake andNga Ran Chaung villages located near the 38 and 40^th pillar inMaungdaw township, which is adjacent to Bangladesh.

Some outposts and camps in the area were desertedby the junta forces due to shortage of ration and also attacks from AA memberswho actually closed the transportation route.

A local villager claimed that the militaryofficials requested them to send food items but the villagers did not respondto it as the AA had prohibited it.

“I telephoned the army officers yesterday butcould not reach them.  I received a message that some camps were withdrawnby the soldiers.  I guess at least 10 camps have been deserted by Myanmarforces,” he added.

Lately, the Myanmar forces have gathered in astronghold near Taung Bro sub-town close to the Bangladeshi area known as KongTon.

The military troops left a few bases fromButhidaung township on 21 August where nearly 100 soldiers and police personnelwere stationed.

Now the AA members have entered into the camp andmany soldiers have been surrounded by them, claimed a local resident.

In Paletwa also heavy fighting between thesoldiers and AA members broke out from 20 to 22 August, where the AA occupiedat least three army outpostsin Thathay Gon mountain range. The outposts were stationed to defend the battalion LIB no (289) and military strategy unitsbased in Paletwa.

As a number of roads arebeing closed because of the fighting, the villagers have faced the shortage ofrice grains and medicines with other essential items.