Junta installs artillery at five different points in Gwa, the southernmost Township of Arakan, to resist AA offensive

Saw Shin May, Narinjara News, 20 August 2024

The junta has set up artillery at five strategic locations, including on pagoda hills in Gwa, the southernmost Township of Arakan State close to Irrawaddy Division, as a pre-emptive measure against a potential offensive by the Arakan Army (AA), said local residents.

The artillery has been positioned at Min Taung pagoda hill, west of the 563rd battalion exit point leading from Gwa to Nga-thaing Chaung, Shwe Nan Khaing pagoda hill, 562nd battalion exit point on the road from Gwa to Kyeintali, Yae Myint hill, near Kan Thar Yar, Thadar Htaik hill at Kyway Chai village entry point and Kular Pyin police station hill.

The artillery on Thadar Htaik hill and Kular Pyin police station hill was installed a few days back. The other positions were used by the second week of August.

A group of soldiers from the artillery battalion based in the Ayeyarwady region were sent to Gwa and they are now stationed on these hills. 

"The artillery battalion is based in the Ayeyarwady region. This is a pre-emptive measure against any AA offensive,” said a local.

Another resident expressed concern over two artillery shells, fired by the junta soldiers at around 11  am on 18 August in Gwa.

"I heard two artillery shells being fired. The artillery was installed in Gwa recently.

Now they can see the entire town and operate the artillery. We are worried about the development,” added the resident.

After relinquishing Kyeintali town, the junta forces deployed its soldiers in several locations like Kyauk Pa Sat, Kular Pyin, Kaing Khone, Sat Thwar, Kyway Chai, Taing Kyoe, Maw Shwe Chai and Kan Thar Yar. All locations are traced in between Kyeintali and Gwa.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues in Maungdaw and Thandwe townships, whereas the fighting starts spreading towards  Gwa.

A number of residents from Thandwe and Gwa townships fled to the Ayeyarwady region due to the ongoing clashes.