The Arakan Army (AA) has besieged all the battalionsin Buthidaung township of Rahine State and has been launching offensives tocapture one battalion after another.

An  AA  statement issued on 3 April, saidthat the AA fighters captured the 552nd light infantry battalion under theButhidaung-based 15th military operations command (MOC-15) on 25 March despitethe joint efforts by junta's army and air force personnel. They have also

launched an offensive against the 564th light infantrybattalion under MOC-15 starting from 1 April.

"The fighting continues and battalions based inButhidaung locality get no reinforcement ong Mayu river. The militarybattalions in the area cannot even exit through the river. The road connectingMaungdaw is also blocked as the  ongoing conflict has made it difficultfor transportation,” said a local resident.

All the battalions in Buthidaung locality are nowrelying on the airstrikes as they have not received reinforcements.

The AA fighters have captured several military basesand battalions in Buthidaung locality including the 552nd light infantrybattalion, Taung Bazar camp, Nwar Yon Taung camp, San Go Taung tacticaloperation command (near the 31 common pagoda),  Sai Tin bridge and Sai Tinmilitary bases.

The 564th light infantry battalion, currently underattack, is expected to fall very soon.