Narinjara News, 30 August 2024

The junta forces and their affiliates face a toughfight while resisting an Arakan Army (AA) offensive in Maungdaw town of ArakanState, where an intense fighting is going on. From the base of 5th border guardpolice battalion (NaKhaKha-5) the soldiers launched artillery shelling and alsochemical bombings on 28 August, claimed the AA.

During the three-day battle, the AA recovered thebodies of junta soldiers and Muslim armed groups from various areas under theircontrol. They also captured some prisoners of war and seized a large volume ofweapons.

"The AA has been steadily attacking and capturingthe enemy’s defensive positions in Maungdaw aiming to take full control of thearea. Our fighters have captured most of the enemy’s defenses in Maungdaw,”said an AA statement.

Meanwhile, the gun fighting continued in some parts ofMaungdaw as the AA fighters attacked the junta soldiers, fleeing in disarraywithout reinforcements.

"On 27, 28 and 29 August, the AA fightersrecovered many bodies of the junta soldiers and Muslim rebels in Maungdawlocality. They also seized prisoners of war and weapons,” added the statement.

Moreover, during their retreat from Maungdaw, the junta soldiers set  many buildings on fire, where they had oncestationed.

During the battle to capture Maungdaw, the AA fightersrescued nearly 26,000 innocent civilians who were used as human shields by thejunta forces.

Along with the soldiers, rebels of military-trainedMuslim armed groups  like  ARSA, RSO, ARA etc also fought against theAA fighters.

The ongoing fighting intensified at Maung Shwe Laynaval base in Thandwe, near Kyeintali Town of  Gwa township and Kyauk ParSat village.

The junta increased reinforcements, weapons and navalvessels to prevent the Maung Shwe Lay naval base from falling. Additionally,the AA fighters are launching regular offensives, leading to intense fightingin Kyeintali, Gwa and the surrounding areas, concluded the statement.