AA launches drone attack on junta camp in Taungup

Kant Kaw Ni Ni, Narinjara News, 29 September 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) launched drone attacks on a military junta camp located near Taungup University in Taungup town of  Arakan State. 

The attack was followed by 30 minutes of artillery and small arms firing, said local residents.

A military source in Taungup said that the AA fighters conducted two drone strikes on the junta camp located on U Tun Hlaing hill near Taungup University at around 9 am on 28 September.

"The junta forces are stationed on U Tun Hlaing hill. The AA fighters carried out drone attacks on the camp. The number of casualties remains unknown," added the source.

The residents also heard the sound of four explosions which sounded like artillery shelling, followed by bursts of gunfire.

"From the direction of Taungup University, we heard the sound," said a young female resident of Taungup.

The junta forces had already fortified their positions, placing artillery on Taungup University campus and setting up a camp on U Tun Hlaing hill, located behind the checkpoint.

Taungup also houses the Military Operations Command (MOC-5) along with the 346th and 544th light infantry battalions.

In early August, fearing an offensive by the AA fighters, the junta soldiers launched airstrikes on nearby villages causing many casualties.

On the night of 24 September, the junta soldiers conducted airstrikes with fighter jets targeting the Tan Lwe Ywar Ma police station and other areas in Taungup. The attack killed two civilians, including a university student and injured three others and also damaged several buildings.

By 28 September, the junta forces  conducted house-to-house inspections in the villages under  Wet Kyaik village-tract of Taungup locality.

The day before, the AA announced plans to intensify its offensive to capture all remaining junta bases in the Arakan region.

Photograph: Resistance forces deploying drones in their fight against the military junta (old photo).