Six junta soldiers including a major and a captain surrender to AA in Mrauk-U

At least  six junta soldiers, including a major and a captain from Thin Kyit Taung pagoda mountain camp, situated in Pauk Taw Pyin village under  Mrauk-U township of Rakhine State surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA).

A group of junta officers and AA members discussed in the afternoon hours of 7 January and later they came forward to surrender by 4 pm.

The AA has cleared the way for remaining soldiers to surrender their weapons.

 
"After the discussions, all six security personnel including a major and a captain surrendered. The other soldiers handed over their arms and weapons,” said a reliable  Source.

The AA captured Thin Kyit Taung Pagoda mountain camp in Mrauk-U township at 4 pm on 7 January. The AA members  also seized a significant volume of military equipment.

The AA statement  did not reveal any information about the surrender of junta troops from Thin Kyit Taung mountain camp.

Approximately 200 junta soldiers from Taung Shay Taung mountain tactical operation command base in Kyauktaw surrendered to the AA.

Some other military bases have sent messages to the AA  expressing their willingness to surrender.

Narinjara News tried to contact AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha and Rakhine State security and border affairs minister colonel  Kyaw Thura, but failed to reach them.

On 24 December, the conflict erupted in Mrauk-U when the AA members initiated an attack on the police station near the Ngwe Taung Pauk bridge and the Thu Taw Ma hill-based camp. Both camps were subsequently captured by the AA.

Before this development (since the middle of December), various departmental offices in Mrauk-U were shut down as per the AA's direction.

Now  377th light infantry battalion, 378th light infantry battalion, 540th light infantry battalion, Lin Mway mountain camp and 31st police battalion remain operational military units in Mrauk-U.

The AA statement also disclosed that the junta soldiers have been  encouraged to communicate with them whenever they decide to surrender.

Photo caption: Seizure of weapons from Thin Kyit Taung pagoda mountain camp