Arakan Army captures Pauktaw town after intense clashes

The Arakan Army (AA) has captured Pauktaw town, 16 miles east of State’s capital Sittwe, after intense clashes.

On 19 January, the soldiers from Pauktaw were summoned to withdraw by the junta's navy barges. However, the AA fighters launched an attack from the land, preventing the barges from landing. As a result, a number of soldiers lost their lives and over 70 surrendered.

"The  navy barges tried to bring the soldiers, but they couldn't do so as the AA fighters started firing from the land. There was a fierce gun battle during the night hours. Many soldiers were killed and  70 surrendered,” said a reliable source.

The source also added that  the soldiers fled in disarray and they were chased through creeks and ditches.

The junta forces used military helicopters, jet fighters, and navy personnel relentlessly to prevent Pauktaw from falling to the AA’s control, but they failed.

A Sittwe resident informed that he could hear the sound of  artillery shells and small arms exchanges at around 2 am. The  Sittwe number 12 police battalion responded by firing artillery shells towards Pauktaw at 4 am.

“During the night, I heard an airplane flying. There were also drones also in the air. There was noise, but the situation in the morning turned quiet,” he added.

On 19 January, there were reports of intense fighting in the Pauktaw urban areas.

Efforts are still underway to contact AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha to confirm the report of Pauktaw’s failure as well as the Russian snipers.