- Web Master
- September 29, 2024
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.