Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 10 May 2024

The Arakha Army (AA) has launched an offensive againstthe remaining junta battalions in Buthidaung township of Rakhine State in themorning hours of 9 May. The junta forces conducted a series of airstrikes withtwo jet fighters at 4 pm, said residents of Buthidaung.

“The AA fighters launched the attack near the entranceof Buthidaung using drones as well as ground forces. Later the junta soldiersconducted airstrikes in the afternoon,” stated a local resident.

Buthidaung hosts more than 10 military battalions andit emerged as the largest military dominated township in the Rakhine region.

On 6 May, the AA announced through a video messagethat they had completely captured the 551st, 552nd, 564th and 565th lightinfantry battalions, as well as the 15th military operations command (MOC-15)based in Buthidaung.

Currently, the 345th, 352nd, 353rd, and 535th lightinfantry battalions, along with  233rd, 234th and 263rd infantrybattalions and 378th artillery battalion are functioning in the township.

Besides Buthidaung, two jet fighters carried outairstrikes on the 6-mile camp and other bases occupied by the AA fighters alongthe Maungdaw-Buthidaung road, informed a resident of Maungdaw.

The AA fighters completely captured a hill-based campwith a cell tower near the 8-mile Taung Gaung Gyee (aka) Hlaing Gu Gyee on theMaungdaw-Butaung 16-mile road and also the 6-mile hill-based camp in Maungdaw.