Taw Hein Taung tactical operation command in Anntownship and 6-mile border guard outpost in Maungdaw township, both underoffensive by Arakha Army (AA) fighters, are on the verge of falling. The juntasoldiers are defending these bases engaging warplanes.

A resident of Ann said that since Thingyan, the AAfighters’ offensive against Taw Hein Taung tactical operation commandintensified. Now the junta is engaging the army, navy and air force personnelto resist the offensive.

"The base is still under their control. They areconducting airstrikes to defend the base,” added the resident.

During the clash at Taw Hein Taung tactical operationcommand, the Ann-based battalions fired multiple launch rocket systems andartillery shells. The junta's air force and navy personnel also tried to defendthe base.

"The allied forces, including the AA, blocked theAnn-Padan highway. If Taw Hein Taung tactical operation command is captured,the western command in Ann locality will fall naturally. So it will  gounder the control of  AA,” explained the resident.

Some of the soldier camps in Dalet Chaung of Anntownship were already occupied by the AA fighters.

Since 18 April, a clash between the AA fighters andsoldiers was going on in Maungdaw locality. As the clashes moved closer to the4-mile border guard outpost, the number 2 border guard police battalionresponded with airstrikes by two jet fighters.

"The clashes spread from Maungdaw's 6-mile areaand it may escalate conflicts near the number 2 border guard battalion. Thesoldiers conducted airstrikes with two jet fighters primarily targeting the6-mile and 5-mile areas," stated the resident.

On 18 April, a fierce clash erupted between the AAfighters and junta soldiers at the 6-mile area on Maungdaw-Buthidaung road.

On 17 April, the AA fighters launched sevendrone-bombs targeting the number 2 border guard police battalion in 4 milealong with 2 drone-bombs on the number 5 border guard police battalion in MyoThu Gyi. However, no report of casualties is reported.

The AA fighters are trying to seize control over Buthidaung-Maungdaw road that spans a distance of 16 miles. The soldiersare implementing various strategies to prevent it from falling into the handsof AA.