NarinjaraNews, August 2, 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) has launched a relentless offensiveagainst the Myothugyi No. 5 Military Operations Command (MOC-5) in MaungdawTownship, Arakan (Rakhine) State. The sustained attacks have resulted insignificant casualties among the junta's forces, causing a gradual retreat.

At approximately 4:00 AM on July 31, the junta's fighter jetsinitiated an airstrike, providing critical air support and conducting heavybombardments in the battle zone. Simultaneously, the junta's Navy targeted AApositions with intense artillery fire.

"The survival prospects for MOC-5 are grim. The battlewas fierce all day yesterday, with artillery fire from Navy vessels continuingthroughout the night. Fighter jets began bombing before dawn today, causing theground to shake like a series of earthquakes. Casualties in MOC-5 appear to behigh. Amidst the heavy rain, the noise of bombs terrified children, making themcry, and forcing people to crouch flat on the ground. The bombing was sointense that my ears went deaf for a while. The fighting situation is extremelyintense,” a witness residing very close to the MOC-5 told Narinjara.

Around 1:00 AM on July 30, the AA launched a series ofsimultaneous offensive attacks on junta positions in Maungdaw. The targetsincluded the No. 5 Border Guard Police (BGP-5) battalion, MOC-5, and junta andsubordinate armed group deployments in Shwezar, Myoma Kanyintan, Maungni,Lathar, Zula areas and POE checkpoints.

"The rain continued to pour all day, and the fightingaround the town was relentless. The sound of small arms fire and artilleryshelling echoed through the night. The danger was so intense that no one daredto leave their homes to observe the military situation,” a Maungdaw residentsaid.

Although the AA successfully defeated all the junta bases inthe south and north of Maungdaw, it has been on the offensive for over a monthto capture the remaining major fortification, MOC-5. Meanwhile, the AA hasintensified efforts to decimate the junta's remaining forces in Maungdaw.

Unable to match the AA in replenishing its ground forces, thejunta is mobilizing armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army(ARSA) to assist in the fight. Additionally, the junta is coercing localMuslims into undergoing military training, arming them, and conscripting theminto its ranks.