Battle between AA and junta forces escalates in south Rakhine

Narinjara News, 26 August 2022

The ongoing battle between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Army has escalated in the southern part of Rakhine State.

The AA members on Thursday evening challenged the junta forces for about 20 minutes at 4 pm in Taungup township.

The battle broke out when the military council forces came to attack a temporary camp of AA near Thon Khwa Hsoun village under Taungup township, which is adjacent to Thandwe township where the famous Nga Pali beach is located.

"This battle took place at Kyin Taw Kyint of Thon Khwa Hsoun village, about 10 miles away from Taungup town. Following the army attack, the AA members took a defensive stand where 12 junta soldiers were reportedly killed. Some soldiers and AA members sustained injuries,” said a local villager.

Presently both the armed forces have retreated from the battle site, he added.

It was the first battle that took place in the southern part of Rakhine State, which means the AA has lately expanded its military presence to those areas.

In a day of August 25 alone, the fighting between the two forces also broke out in three Townships (Taungup, Maungdaw of Rakhine and Paletwa townships of Chin State).

A source close to the AA informed that another fighting took place at a place near Namada village under Paletwa township for many hours, where the AA captured the Namada army camp. In the evening hours, the military personnel attacked the AA base with jet fighters. 

Similarly, in the north of Maungdaw township, near Waila Taung and pillar number 39 that demarcates the Bangladesh border, there was another battle taking place 3 to 5 pm yesterday.

"We could hear the sound of gunfire from the side of pillar number 39. We heard the sound of heavy weapons in the morning and later small arms at around 3 pm. The battle stopped at 5 pm,” he added.

Because of the intense fighting over two thousand villagers left their places. Till date no less than 60,000 IDPs have not been able to return to their villages. They are struggling to live due to lack of relief by the military council and also international NGOs.

The military council has lately blocked various transportation routes in Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships. It has caused difficulties to those asylum seekers to get rice grains and other essential items.