Naung MinThu, Narinjara News, 21 May 2024

The ArakanArmy (AA) fighters have launched an offensive on Maungdaw, a border town inwestern Arakan State this morning. According to local residents, sound ofcontinuous gun firing was heard from the 2nd border guard police battalionstationed in 4-mile at the entry point to the township.

"Wheneverthe junta forces face casualties, they resort to conducting airstrikes with jetfighters. This morning at around 4, the residents woke up to thedevelopment.  The 5th border guard police battalion fired about fiveartillery shells and also small arms,” said a  Maungdaw resident.

The AA fighters launched the offensive against border guard personnel andalso  conducted  airstrikes at  around 4 am on Tuesday. At theentry point to Maungdaw, there are two border guard police battalions namely4-mile 2nd battalion and Myo Thu Gyi 5th battalion.

"The2nd battalion has lost many of its soldiers as many abandoned the camp. Soonafter the killing of four border guard personnel on 25 April, they startedfleeing,” said a local resident.

After theAA fighters captured the entire Buthidaung town, they initiated an offensiveagainst the 2nd battalion in 4-mile.

Accordingto the military analysts, Maungdaw town may fall to  the AA soon as theyhave captured all border guard headquarters, including Kyein Chaung, Kyee KanPyin, Hla Phoe Khaung and Nga Khu Ya based in the township.

Aftercapturing Buthidaung, the AA issued a statement urging the local residents toevacuate their places. They are now intensifying the offensive to captureMaungdaw too.

Theremaining junta battalions in Maungdaw locality include Myo Thu Gyi 5th borderguard police battalion,  4-mile 2nd border guard police battalion,Mawyawadi tactical operation command, Ah Lel Than Kyaw outpost,  Inn Din6th border guard police battalion and Myin Hlut 9th border guard policebattalion.