Naung MinThu, NarinjaraNews, 8 May 2024

The juntaforces have destroyed a traffic bridge at the entrance to Buthidaung townshipof Rakhine State with a mine attack to prevent the Arakha Army (AA) offensive.

The bridge,which crosses Pan Zin creek, helps connect Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung,and Maungdaw townships by the roadways.

At 4 pm on6 May, the junta soldiers destroyed the bridge, claimed an eyewitness.

"Thisbridge is vital for both military operations and general transportation. Theapproach road on the east side of the bridge collapsed," said a resident.

But even ifthe bridge was destroyed, it may not be able to halt the AA fighters attackingButhidaung, as there are some alternative roads as well.

The AAfighters fully occupied the headquarters of 15th military operations command(MOC-15) and 551st, 552nd, 564th, 565th light infantry battalions on theeastern bank of the creek on 3 May.

Destructionof the bridge puts residents of  200 villages east of Buthidaung in adifficult situation.

Followingthe bridge's destruction, the junta soldiers were deployed in Buthidaunglocality.

"Theyhave deployed soldiers  in Buthidaung with an apprehension that the AAfighters might capture the town," added the resident.

On 25April, the junta soldiers destroyed another bridge between Gone Nar and Sin OhPyin villages under Buthidaung township with a mine attack.