Narinjara News, 6 January 2025

On January 3 morning, the Arakan Army (AA), having moved into the Ayeyarwady Region, and the experienced combatants of the People's Defense Forces (PDF) engaged with junta troops in Thabaung Township. 

A resident of Thabaung informed Narinjara News that the conflict took place in War Yar Chaung, situated between Thabaung and Baw Mi, at the base of the Arakan Mountains. 

"It took place on the morning of Friday, January 3. The site is close to a Chinese paper and pulp factory, situated in the War Yar Chaung region between Thabaung and Baw Mi," stated the local. 

The source mentioned that the AA and its allied troops have arrived in Thabaung Township, indicating that the AA intends to take over the Chinese paper and pulp factory. 

The conflict led to numerous junta soldiers being killed, with some still unaccounted for. 

A regional military expert stated that recent intelligence indicates the AA, PDF, and the Student Armed Force (SAF) have moved past Ma Gyee Zin on the coast and have entered Thabaung Township. 

Thabaung Township is situated in the Pathein District. If the AA and PDF forces manage to seize Thabaung Township, they may present a considerable military danger to Pathein City in the Ayeyarwady Region. If the routes around Pathein are blocked, towns like Shwe Thaung Yan, Ngwe Saung, and Chaung Thar may come under the influence of the resistance forces. 

“Thabaung is an important junction town. From this location, you can access Pathein, Ngwe Saung, Chaung Thar, the Arakan Mountains, and the coastal road. This renders it very tactical for the opposition forces. Now that the AA and PDF are in Thabaung Township, I think the junta will struggle to halt their progress," stated the military analyst. 

The Ayeyarwady Region does not have divisions or battalions with fighting experience. Many of the region's current battalions are engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ann, Taungup, and Gwa within Arakan State, resulting in significant losses for the junta forces, with some battalions on the brink of collapse. 

The military expert mentioned that the battalions in the area are being bolstered with recruits who have undergone just 45 days of military training. This, the analyst noted, will render it almost impossible for them to counter a significant AA offensive if the conflict escalates. 

The analyst also noted that should the AA and PDF initiate a complete offensive in the Ayeyarwady Region, the coastal regions of Shwe Thaung Yan, Ngwe Saung, Chaung Thar, and Maw Tin are expected to easily come under the control of the resistance forces. 

A report from RFA Burmese on January 4 revealed that junta troops vacated their camps as the AA initiated attacks on coastal villages close to Shwe Thaung Yan Town in Pathein Township, including Chaung Wa Gyai, Pauk Hla Gyai, and Ma Gyee Zin, situated near the Arakan mountains.