AA Update on Rakhine State Conflict Through November 16

On November 16th, the Arakan Army (AA) issued a latest update regarding the continuing conflict in its struggle against the Military Council in Rakhine State.

The AA said that it managed to capture the Pauktaw Township police station and acquired military equipment, weapons, ammunition, as well as some banknotes and documents in the early morning at 00:21 a.m. on November 16th.

Furthermore, the AA stated that the police personnel who surrendered were spared, receiving 1 million MMK each, and were assisted in traveling to their desired destinations.

Following the capture of the police station, a Military Council helicopter arrived and conducted gunfire in Pauktaw, while Navy vessels indiscriminately bombarded the surrounding areas.

On that evening, a substantial number of Military Council troops entered Pauktaw, committing war crimes by killing civilians who were hiding and attempting to flee, according to the AA.

AA also conveyed its condolences for the loss of civilian lives and expressed its determination to pursue justice from the Military Council for targeting civilians in Pauktaw.

Moreover, the AA has reported that the two robust military bases, Tarunaing and Hnonebu, which function as Tactical Operation Command Bases for the Military Council in Paletwa Township, are enduring relentless and aggressive offensives by AA for the third consecutive day, despite adverse weather conditions with heavy rainfall.

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on November 16th, the regime forces at the Done Nyo military base in Maungdaw Township rejected AA’s proposal for surrender. Consequently, AA initiated an attack amid heavy rainfall. The conflict persisted, and at 12:20 a.m., the military council launched a three-round attack using a jet fighter to defend its base.

Hence, as of November 16th, the military situation indicates that the AA has launched simultaneous attacks on the military council's Tarunaing, Hnonebu, and Done Nyo bases.