Battle for Maungdaw intensifies as gunshots heard from various locations

Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 10 August 2024

The battle for Maungdaw town in Arakan State intensifies as gunshots are reported from five locations, including the 5th border guard police battalion (Na Kha Kha-5). The residents reported that at least 10 airstrikes were conducted by the junta’s jet fighters.

A local Hindu trapped in Maungdaw and taking shelter in a school said that from 2 to 3 am today, the jet fighters dropped about 20 bombs on our town.

“The  aircraft noise made the children cry and dogs ran for cover. Even the buildings were shaking. Around 300 people took shelter in the school. We couldn’t sleep all night because of the ongoing battle and had to lie down on the floor,” he added.

The junta forces conducted airstrikes around Maungdaw town at  6 am on 9 August. A total of 20 bombs were dropped at different times (like 2:50 am, 3:07 am, 3:12 am, etc).

They dropped more than 10 bombs on Maungdaw with jet fighters yesterday at 11:30 am, 3:00 pm and  5:30 pm.

On 7 August, a jet fighter dropped four bombs on the town at  5  pm.

The junta soldiers are defending the  NaKhaKha-5   from attacks carried out by Arakan Army (AA) fighters.

“The fighting on all five fronts remains intense throughout the day and night. The junta forces suffered significant casualties. The NaKhaKha-5 may now fall at any moment. The soldiers are defending it with a series of airstrikes,” said a Maungdaw resident.

Mentionable is that the AA fighters intensified its offensive against Maungdaw and the NaKhaKha-5 base from 3 August.