AA Confirms Complete Capture of All 3 Battalions in Rathedaung

"Approximately 200 Junta Soldiers Escape via Warships"

18, March, 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) confirmed the complete capture of all three battalions of the military junta based in Rathedaung, 20 miles north of State capital Sittwe, on March 17.

The statement also mentioned that approximately two hundred junta soldiers escaped via warships.

"All 3 battalions based in Rathedaung, Rakhine State, namely the 536th Light Infantry Battalion, 537th Light Infantry Battalion, and 538th Light Infantry Battalion, were completely captured by the Arakan Army on March 17, 2024, at approximately 4 pm," according to a statement released on March 17.

Despite intense resistance from the enemy's army, navy, and air force, all three battalions were successfully captured after approximately two weeks of offensive attacks, the statement continued.

The statement indicated that approximately 200 junta soldiers from these battalions escaped using warships. However, it also mentioned the discovery of bodies of Muslims recently given military training by the military junta, as well as the bodies of the junta soldiers. Additionally, weapons, ammunition, and military equipment were seized.

The Arakan Army (AA) also stated that their offensive is intensifying to fully capture the 552nd Light Infantry Battalion under the 15th Military Operations Command (MOC-15) in Buthidaung Township.

The 'terrorist' military junta, which is losing ground in Rakhine and losing one township after another, continues to target civilians by attacking schools, hospitals, religious buildings, roads, and bridges, and committing war crimes on a daily basis.

As a result of the military junta's targeted attacks on the public, the number of casualties among innocent civilians is escalating daily.