Intense fighting continues in Maungdaw

Narinjara News, 19 August 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) has released a statement on the current offensive to capture Maungdaw town of Arakan State. On 18 August, the AA fighters asked the residents to evacuate by 16 June just ahead of the gun battle to capture the town. Some residents followed the notice and left, but many others remained in their places.

Those staying include-supporters of the military junta, armed Muslim groups backed by the junta, terrorist organizations like ARSA, RSO, ARA, etc, family members associated with these groups, residents used as human shields by the junta (and the extremist organizations) and individuals who disobeyed the notice.

The military junta fortified Maungdaw  with advanced defense forces. Many high-rise buildings, private houses and schools in ward numbers 1,  2, 3, 4 and Ka Nyin Tan have been converted into military bases.

All bridges in Maungdaw, except the Shwe Zar bridge, were destroyed by the junta soldiers. The said bridge remained intact as the AA fighters defended it while the soldiers tried to destroy the bridge  with mines.

Now the  AA fighters are surrounding Maungdaw for an extended period. On 4 August, they launched an attack on the junta's military camps near to Haw Ri Tu Lar and Maung Ni villages.

They captured the junta's police station at  Maung Ni village on the same day and later succeeded in occupying a  military camp at  Haw Ri Tu Lar village on 6 August.

Earlier, the 3-mile area of  Maungdaw was captured on 9 July. Intense fighting began on 4 August. Over 20,000 residents were used as human shields by the junta forces and they were  evacuated by the AA fighters. 

The rescued individuals  include the staff and family members of various international organizations. The effort to rescue trapped Maungdaw residents still continues.

On 15 August  at around 4 pm, a battle erupted between AA fighters and ARSA, ARA and RSO  rebels stationed at a residential building near number 2 high school in ward number 2. 

The AA fighters defeated the enemy in a forty-minute exchange of fire.  The enemy forces set many buildings on fire before fleeing.

Two bodies of enemy forces and some arms & ammunition were recovered from the damaged buildings.

On 16 August, the fighting continued in Maungdaw clock tower and southeastern areas. Many enemy bodies with weapons and ammunition were seized from the location.

As the battle intensified, false information was spread by some human rights defenders.

“We strongly warn against such misinformation which can ruin the harmony among ethnic groups in the Arakan region,” stated the AA.

It also added that every incident of violence in recent days was  deliberately created by the junta soldiers in collaboration with extremist groups like ARSA, RSO, ARA, etc.