Maungdaw's No-5 Border police base used chemical bombs: AA

Narinjara News, 30 August 2024

The junta forces and their affiliates face a tough fight while resisting an Arakan Army (AA) offensive in Maungdaw town of Arakan State, where an intense fighting is going on. From the base of 5th border guard police battalion (NaKhaKha-5) the soldiers launched artillery shelling and also chemical bombings on 28 August, claimed the AA.

During the three-day battle, the AA recovered the bodies of junta soldiers and Muslim armed groups from various areas under their control. They also captured some prisoners of war and seized a large volume of weapons.

"The AA has been steadily attacking and capturing the enemy’s defensive positions in Maungdaw aiming to take full control of the area. Our fighters have captured most of the enemy’s defenses in Maungdaw,” said an AA statement.

Meanwhile, the gun fighting continued in some parts of Maungdaw as the AA fighters attacked the junta soldiers, fleeing in disarray without reinforcements.

"On 27, 28 and 29 August, the AA fighters recovered many bodies of the junta soldiers and Muslim rebels in Maungdaw locality. They also seized prisoners of war and weapons,” added the statement.

Moreover, during their retreat from Maungdaw,  the junta soldiers set  many buildings on fire, where they had once stationed.

During the battle to capture Maungdaw, the AA fighters rescued nearly 26,000 innocent civilians who were used as human shields by the junta forces.

Along with the soldiers, rebels of military-trained Muslim armed groups  like  ARSA, RSO, ARA etc also fought against the AA fighters.

The ongoing fighting intensified at Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe, near Kyeintali Town of  Gwa township and Kyauk Par Sat village.

The junta increased reinforcements, weapons and naval vessels to prevent the Maung Shwe Lay naval base from falling. Additionally, the AA fighters are launching regular offensives, leading to intense fighting in Kyeintali, Gwa and the surrounding areas, concluded the statement.