AA launches offensive against remaining junta battalions in Buthidaung

Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 10 May 2024

The Arakha Army (AA) has launched an offensive against the remaining junta battalions in Buthidaung township of Rakhine State in the morning hours of 9 May. The junta forces conducted a series of airstrikes with two jet fighters at 4 pm, said residents of Buthidaung.

“The AA fighters launched the attack near the entrance of Buthidaung using drones as well as ground forces. Later the junta soldiers conducted airstrikes in the afternoon,” stated a local resident.

Buthidaung hosts more than 10 military battalions and it emerged as the largest military dominated township in the Rakhine region.

On 6 May, the AA announced through a video message that they had completely captured the 551st, 552nd, 564th and 565th light infantry battalions, as well as the 15th military operations command (MOC-15) based in Buthidaung.

Currently, the 345th, 352nd, 353rd, and 535th light infantry battalions, along with  233rd, 234th and 263rd infantry battalions and 378th artillery battalion are functioning in the township.

Besides Buthidaung, two jet fighters carried out airstrikes on the 6-mile camp and other bases occupied by the AA fighters along the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road, informed a resident of Maungdaw.

The AA fighters completely captured a hill-based camp with a cell tower near the 8-mile Taung Gaung Gyee (aka) Hlaing Gu Gyee on the Maungdaw-Butaung 16-mile road and also the 6-mile hill-based camp in Maungdaw.