Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, 2 January 2024 

The Arakan Army (AA) executed an assault on the Taung Pon Gyi camp, situated in the Arakan mountains close to the boundary of Taungup Township and Bago Region in Arakan State, resulting in fierce combat. 

A military source affiliated with the AA verified that on the morning of January 1, the AA struck the Taung Pon Gyi camp, the sole remaining military base in Taungup Township, situated near the border with Padaung Township in the Bago Region. 

“The camp has been encircled and carefully observed by the AA since the capture of Taungup. The junta troops recognize this and proceed carefully. If they try to escape, the AA will shoot. As the junta began military actions yesterday, the AA initiated an assault. The clashes were fierce, and the junta troops conducted aerial bombardments,” the source reported. 

The Taung Pon Gyi camp, functioning as a crucial Arakan-Bago border entry point, is situated on the Padaung-Taungup route and holds strategic significance for accessing Padaung Township. This township hosts multiple junta weapons production sites, such as the No. 3 Directorate of Defence Industries (KaPaSa-3), No. 5 Directorate of Defence Industries (KaPaSa-5), No. 6 Directorate of Defence Industries (KaPaSa-6), No. 9 Directorate of Defence Industries (KaPaSa-9), and No. 16 Directorate of Defence Industries (KaPaSa-16). 

Amid the clashes, multiple junta soldiers were said to have died, and junta troops carried out airstrikes on the villages of Nyaung Kyoe, Micro, and Tha Pyay, which are situated close to the Taung Pon Gyi camp. The airstrikes led to civilian deaths, causing local residents to escape to Oakshitpin Town for safety. 

Narinjara News has not been able to independently confirm the civilian casualties resulting from the airstrikes because of communication issues. 

Currently, the combat is said to be on hold. 

Following the AA's takeover of Taungup, Ann, and Gwa towns, the junta boosted its military deployment and increased readiness, fearing that the fighting might extend to the Bago and Ayeyarwady Regions.