Apprehending AA offensive on Maungdaw junta senior officers flee to Sittwe

Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 14 June 2024

Apprehending an imminent attack by the Arakha  Army (AA) fighters on Maungdaw town of Arakan State, some military senior officers belonging to the 5th border guard police battalion fled to Sittwe by the military vessels on the night of 12 June, said local residents.

“A military vessel docked at Maungdaw mouth creek and the local villagers gathered at the POE jetty with the hope to board, but they were prevented by junta soldiers. Around 10 vehicles from the 5th border guard police battalion also arrived at the jetty. The military vessel departed in the night hours carrying a number of  military officers from 5th border guard battalion towards Sittwe,” said a Maungdaw resident.

The AA fighters continue occupying military junta's border guard camps in south Maungdaw. Lately they took control of Ah Lel Than Kyaw camp on 12 June. Now they are targeting Na Khaung To and Pa Din camps in the locality.

“After capturing Na Khaung To, Pa Din, Ma Gyee Chaung and Maung Ni camps on the other side of the creek, the AA fighters reached the town. They also launched an offensive against the 5th border guard police battalion. That is why the military officers fled,” said a military analyst.

The outposts of the 2nd border guard police battalion located in 4-mile were already occupied by the AA fighters. Only the 2nd border guard police battalion and 5th border guard police battalion based in Myo Thu Gyi remain under the control of junta soldiers. The remaining small camps include  Ma Gyee Chaung and Maung Ni Chaung Wa Camps.