AA confirms complete capture of Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe

Narinjara News, 7 September 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) fully captured the last remaining Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe township of Arakan State on 5 September. This was confirmed by a statement released on 6 September, which also included photographs.

The statement reported that over 400 junta soldiers were killed and a significant amount of military equipment, weapons and ammunition were seized.

The  naval base was critical for the junta that served as the site of Central Naval Diving and Salvage Depot (Myanmar Navy) and functioned as a naval training camp.

On 7 August, the AA fighters launched an offensive against the depot, a major remaining base of the military junta in Thandwe, where the enemy columns defended it for days.

The offensive against  Maung Shwe Lay naval base, situated between Maung Shwe Lay and Kwin Wine villages lasted for nearly a month. The naval base was fully captured on 5 September at around  6  pm, revealed  the AA statement.

The junta forces put up a step-by-step defense in and around Maung Shwe Lay, Kwin Wine, Tha Byu Chai villages  and the concerned depot. They were supported by the heavy artillery and naval forces. Despite these efforts, they could not sustain for days and finally surrendered the base to the AA.

More than 1,200 junta soldiers were stationed in and around the depot.  It was reinforced by junta forces who had escaped from other locations after defeats along with the newly trained soldiers.

The junta defended the base with substantial artillery support from the sea too.

During the AA's offensive, over 400 junta soldiers were killed and a large volume  of military equipment, weapons, and ammunition were seized.

The junta repeatedly transported their wounded and deceased by warship to Sittwe and the Ayeyarwady region.

The AA fighters conducted burials for the bodies of junta soldiers.

The AA expressed deep gratitude and honor to their fighters and troops involved in various battles.

As the junta continued to lose the war, it  deliberately targeted civilians with artillery shells and airstrikes, a tactic commonly used when their camps fell. These actions are considered crimes against humanity and acts of violence.

On 6 September at  10:47 am, artillery shells were fired into Pauktaw town from the 12th police battalion, a junta military base in Sittwe. At 10:57 am, more  shells were fired from the Sittwe naval base causing explosions in various wards and villages. Some civilian houses were damaged by these attacks.

The battle to capture Maungdaw is going on, concluded the AA statement.