Narinjara News, 30 August 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) fighters continue attacking MaungShwe Lay naval base in Thandwe township and the 5th border guard policebattalion (NaKhaKha-5) in Maungdaw town, which is the last remaining battalionthere, said AA spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha.

“Maung Shwe Lay Kwin Wine naval base has not fallenyet. Despite the junta forces remaining in disarray, they are fighting toresist our fighters. We are arresting those fleeing from the base. The junta'snaval vessels are firing relentlessly and trying to reinforce their positionsin some areas,” he added.

The AA fighters are also advancing towards  Gwa township. The intensefighting is going on in Kyeintali town along the road from Kyeintali to Gwa.The junta soldiers are resisting by reinforcing with additional soldiers andweapons.

“We have already taken control of a vast territory of Maungdaw. However, themilitary-trained Muslim armed forces and various extremist groups are stillresisting in different ways. Some are holding hostages in villages, whileothers are disguising themselves as civilians,” said U Khaing Thu Kha.

The  AA fighters are attacking systematically in response to the variousforms of resistance from those extremist groups.

“The threat from these terrorist organizations remains a serious issue and itposes a risk to public safety also. This is why we are attacking both theterrorist groups and the junta forces systematically,” he continued.

Currently, the junta's navy and air force personnelare firing shells on  Maung Shwe Lay naval base to prevent its fall andalso conducting regular airstrikes to prevent the NaKhaKha-5 base in Maungdawfrom being captured.

Photograph: Combating AA fighters in Arakan State