Fighting continues at Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe and NaKhaKha-5 in Maungdaw

Narinjara News, 30 August 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) fighters continue attacking Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe township and the 5th border guard police battalion (NaKhaKha-5) in Maungdaw town, which is the last remaining battalion there, said AA spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha.

“Maung Shwe Lay Kwin Wine naval base has not fallen yet. Despite the junta forces remaining in disarray, they are fighting to resist our fighters. We are arresting those fleeing from the base. The junta's naval vessels are firing relentlessly and trying to reinforce their positions in some areas,” he added.

The AA fighters are also advancing towards  Gwa township. The intense fighting is going on in Kyeintali town along the road from Kyeintali to Gwa. The junta soldiers are resisting by reinforcing with additional soldiers and weapons.

“We have already taken control of a vast territory of Maungdaw. However, the military-trained Muslim armed forces and various extremist groups are still resisting in different ways. Some are holding hostages in villages, while others are disguising themselves as civilians,” said U Khaing Thu Kha.

The  AA fighters are attacking systematically in response to the various forms of resistance from those extremist groups.

“The threat from these terrorist organizations remains a serious issue and it poses a risk to public safety also. This is why we are attacking both the terrorist groups and the junta forces systematically,” he continued.

Currently, the junta's navy and air force personnel are firing shells on  Maung Shwe Lay naval base to prevent its fall and also conducting regular airstrikes to prevent the NaKhaKha-5 base in Maungdaw from being captured.

Photograph: Combating AA fighters in Arakan State