AA captures all junta battalions based in Buthidaung

Narinjara News, 18 May 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) has captured all junta battalions based in Buthidaung town of Rakhine State.

According to a statement, issued on Saturday, the AA fighters successfully captured the last remaining battalions of the military junta in Buthidaung Township at around 12 pm.

The captured battalions  include  Buthidaung tactical operation command, battalions under tactical operation command,  artillery battalion, supply battalion and some Buthidaung-based battalions under the regional operations command (Sittwe).

The AA statement on Rakhine gun fighting said that their fighters had lately captured the 378th artillery battalion, 234th light infantry battalion, 235th light infantry battalion, 352nd light infantry battalion, artillery battalion, supply battalion, and garrison engineer battalion (GE) along with the Buthidaung tactical operation command.

On 14 May, the  junta's 353rd light infantry battalion, 535th light infantry battalion, 263rd light infantry battalion and 233rd light infantry battalion were captured. Earlier on 13 May, the number 3 border guard police battalion was captured. The number 8 border guard police battalion was captured on 16 May.

“At the same time, we are chasing the junta soldiers who are fleeing from the tactical operation command and battalions, as well as the militant Bengali forces who had received military training and collaborated with the terrorist military junta, and launched attacks against us,” added the statement.

Many junta soldiers fled in disorder into Buthidaung town and nearby villages for shelter. It also advised the villagers around Buthidaung to maintain a heightened state of military alert.