Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 3 January 2025 

On January 2, fierce clashes broke out between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta troops on the Arakan Mountains road in Arakan State while junta forces were carrying out military actions from Nat Yae Kan in the Magway Region. 

A military source in Ann stated, "The junta troops came from Nat Yae Kan, with roughly 40 to 50 soldiers in each column. Clashes broke out between them and the AA, and it has been fierce. The noise of gunshots can still be heard even now." 

The source further mentioned that numerous junta soldiers were either killed or wounded in the clash, with some falling back to the Nat Yae Kan camp. 

"There were fatalities, with several junta soldiers dead and others injured. They withdrew to Nat Yae Kan, their original base, and have kept firing artillery shells from there through this morning," the source stated. 

The source additionally mentioned that the Nat Yae Kan camp is approximately 50 miles from Ann Town, whereas the camp on Taung Sauk Mountain is roughly 20 miles distant. Ann Town was seized by the AA on December 20. 

Regular clashes have also been noted between the AA and junta troops close to the junta’s Taung Sauk camp, which contains a Chinese gas pipeline substation, situated roughly 20 miles from Ann Town. 

Soldiers from the Nat Yae Kan camp are transitioning between the Nat Yae Kan and Taung Sauk camps while conducting military operations. 

Soldiers who escaped from the Ann conflict, along with extra forces sent from Magway and Minbu, are bolstering the junta's military camps in the Arakan Mountains. 

The junta is also carrying out a series of airstrikes in conflict areas, including Ann Town.