Intense fighting resumes in Gwa, junta launches airstrikes

Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 5 September 2024

An intense fighting broke out again on 4 September between the junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA) fighters in rural areas between Kyeintali town and Kular Pyin village, located in the southernmost part of Gwa township in Arakan State. The junta soldiers also launched airstrikes over the area.

The fighting that started at around 10 am took place near Sar Chet and Kaing Khon villages. As the junta soldiers carried out airstrikes, many villagers left their places.

“There was no fighting for more than two weeks, but suddenly it returned. The AA fighters  attacked where the junta soldiers were quiet. They knew that a military column from Kular Pyin moved through the area. Later the junta forces launched airstrikes,” sad a local resident.

Sar Chet, Kaing Khon and Kular Pyin are neighboring villages in Kyeintali areas. Although the junta soldiers retreated to Kular Pyin, the residents said that the  patrolling and ambushes continued to take place along the road between Kyeintali and Kular Pyin.

On 4 September,  during these patrols the  junta soldiers clashed with the AA fighters. The AA has already taken control over  Kyeintali town and launched an offensive on Kular Pyin.

"Sar Chet, Kaing Khon, Kyauk Par Sat and Kular Pyin villages were attacked and later taken over by the AA. The junta has lost control over  the areas. They were moving towards Kular Pyin during night hours, so there were fewer  ambushes. The junta soldiers launched the airstrikes as they thought the AA fighters entered the villages. The AA fighters  ambushed the military vehicles as they continued advancing," said another resident.

Due to the ongoing airstrikes, the residents reported that they could hear explosions near Sar Chet and Kaing Khon villages. They are apprehensive about civilian casualties in those areas.

Since heavy gun fighting took place in Kyeintali town on 10 August, the AA fighters had taken control over the town and they are now advancing towards Gwa.

The junta soldiers are fiercely resisting the AA fighters by deploying its army, navy and air force personnel heavily.

Photograph: Kular Pyin bridge and Sar Chet village