- Web Master
- October 27, 2024
Naung Min
Thu
Narinjara
News, 26 May 2024
The Arakan Army (AA) is intensifying its offensive to capture the entire
Maungdaw region of Rakhine State, while the military junta used waterways
to bolster their reinforcements, said local residents.
Moreover,
the junta forces and armed Muslims have taken their positions in residential
areas including in religious buildings to resist the AA offensive.
"The
junta soldiers and armed Muslims are stationed in Maung Ni village-tract,
Kanyin Tan village-tract, number 5 ward Aye Tar Li Yar village-tract and Shwe
Zar village-tract. They are using schools along with the religious buildings
inside the town," added a resident.
The border
guard personnel, who fled from the border guard stations in northern Maungdaw,
are also stationed in those villages along with the armed Muslims.
"Most
border guard personnel do not want to fight. If the AA fighters attack their
bases, they will run away. Currently, Maungdaw has not witnessed any gun
fighting at this moment inside the town areas. The gunshots were heard from the
5th border guard police battalion at the town's entry point. The AA fighters
have besieged the town," stated the resident.
The AA
fighters have encircled Maungdaw from the east, north and south. A Muslim
resident informed that the military junta is reinforcing their presence to
prevent Maungdaw from falling into the hands of AA.
The
military is sending reinforcements through the waterways almost every day. On
20 May, two landing craft arrived, following which two more landing craft came
on the night of 22 May.
On 22 May,
the 5th border guard police battalion and 2nd border guard police
battalion were reinforced with five vehicles carrying soldiers and five
vehicles with artillery shells, which were transported by two landing craft. On
20 May, five vehicles carrying artillery shells were transported by two
landing craft to reinforce the 5th border guard police battalion, while the
soldiers were reinforced at Kanyin Chaung economic zone.
"To
prevent Maungdaw from falling, the junta has exerted control over Muslim
soldiers and ARSA members. The access to the town's entry and exit points has
been restricted. Any individual found attempting to do so is being arrested and
even shot at," added the Muslim resident.
Fearing
that the AA fighters might attack Maungdaw soon, some residents have left their
places for safer shelters.