Narinjara News, 21 May 2024
The Arakha Army (AA) has confirmed the completecontrol over Buthidaung township of Rakhine State following the capture of 20 battalions, including the headquarters of 15th military operationscommand (MOC-15), Buthidaung tactical operation command, number 8 border guardpolice battalion and number 3 border guard police battalion.
"Following the capture of all battalionsstationed in Buthidaung township, we have successfully taken the town under ourcontrol,” said U Khaing Thu Kha, spokesman for the AA while talking toNarinjara News on 20 May.
After capturing the military battalions in Buthidaung, the AA fighters fully overpowered the junta soldiers and Muslim armedgroups.
Buthidaung was the home to a large number of juntabattalions in Rakhine State and it had the highest deployment of junta soldiersalong with arms.
The AA fighters seized control over the 552nd lightinfantry battalion in the east of Buthidaung on 25 March, followed by 564thlight infantry battalion on 5 April, 565th light infantry battalion on 24April, 15th military operations command headquarters on 2 May and551st light infantry battalion on 3 May.
They also launched another offensive against theremaining battalions and successfully captured the number 3 border guard policebattalion on 13 May, 353rd light infantry battalion, 535th light infantrybattalion, 263rd infantry battalion and 233rd infantry battalion on 14 May,Buthidaung tactical operation command on 18 May and 378th artillery battalion,234th light infantry battalion, 345th light infantry battalion, 352nd lightinfantry battalion, artillery battalion, supply battalion and garrison engineerbattalion subsequently.