Fierce fighting breaks out in northern Rakhine, military bases withdrawn by soldiers

( The photo was released by AA after some Junta forces along with arms and ammunition were captured in the fighting on 18 July, 2022.)

Narinjara News, 23 August 2022

Fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Burmese military is presently going on in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa township of Chin State, where even some military bases were deserted by the army personnel, said a source close to the AA.

The fighting is concentrated near the Metake and Nga Ran Chaung villages located near the 38 and 40^th pillar in Maungdaw township, which is adjacent to Bangladesh.

Some outposts and camps in the area were deserted by the junta forces due to shortage of ration and also attacks from AA members who actually closed the transportation route.

A local villager claimed that the military officials requested them to send food items but the villagers did not respond to it as the AA had prohibited it.

“I telephoned the army officers yesterday but could not reach them.  I received a message that some camps were withdrawn by the soldiers.  I guess at least 10 camps have been deserted by Myanmar forces,” he added.

Lately, the Myanmar forces have gathered in a stronghold near Taung Bro sub-town close to the Bangladeshi area known as Kong Ton.

The military troops left a few bases from Buthidaung township on 21 August where nearly 100 soldiers and police personnel were stationed.

Now the AA members have entered into the camp and many soldiers have been surrounded by them, claimed a local resident.

In Paletwa also heavy fighting between the soldiers and AA members broke out from 20 to 22 August, where the AA occupied at least three army outposts in Thathay Gon mountain range. The outposts were stationed to defend the battalion LIB no (289) and military strategy units based in Paletwa.

As a number of roads are being closed because of the fighting, the villagers have faced the shortage of rice grains and medicines with other essential items.