Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 26 August 2024

TheArakan Army (AA) on Sunday launched an attack on Maung Shwe Lay naval base inThandwe township of Arakan State using an improvised rocket. The attackresulted in the deaths of at least fivenavalpersonnel, including a major and a sergeant, said a local source close to thenavy.

Thecasualties include major Phyo Maung Maung Win and sergeant Ye Win.

"Soonafter their deaths, the bodies were transported to Yangon by a navy vessel,while three others were buried in Kwin Wine navy outpost," added the  source.

Major Phyo Maung Maung Win was recently appointed as commander ofMaung Shwe Lay naval base and sergeant Ye Win was  responsible formanaging the daily rations.

On25  August, the improvised rockets were fired on Maung Shwe Lay naval base resulting in the death of two personnel.

Earlier on 20 July, the same base faced an attack by theimprovised rockets, where two navy personnel were killed.

TheAA fighters fired improvised rockets at the base on 22 and  23 August.Later the gunfire took place  in between Kyauk Ka Lat and Maung Shwe Layvillages, which are near to the naval base.

They launched an offensive on  Ywar Thar Yar village, whichis located between Maung Shwe Lay naval base and Tha Byu Chai jetty.

“The improvised rockets  hit Kwin Wine naval base three timeswith casualties in every attack. The latest attack resulted in the highestnumber of casualties,” said another  resident.

ThadarKyauk pagoda, also known as Western Shwedagon, is just half a mile away fromthe Maung Shwe Lay naval base, where the battle took place on 17 August. Thearea remains tense as military activities between the two armed sides continue.

The  AAfighters have already captured LIB (566)battalion, LIB (55) battalion, Ngapali, Thandwe and Gyeik Taw townships.