Narinjara News, 24 December 2024 

On December 21, the Arakan Army (AA) stated that junta troops, after suffering continuous losses, are retreating chaotically towards the Ayeyarwady Region amid the current conflict for Gwa Town. 

The junta troops are experiencing rising losses daily and are surrendering position after position. 

The AA is enhancing its attempts to seize Gwa Town, whereas the junta is bolstering its military presence by deploying troops from the Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions. 

Despite the reinforcements, the junta forces, made up of conscripted soldiers and resembling a coalition army, are demoralized, suffering defeats in every engagement and retreating in disarray, as stated by the AA. 

The conflict in Gwa is escalating each day as the AA keeps chasing the fleeing junta troops, who are gradually retreating towards the Ayeyarwady Region. 

The declaration also mentioned that Gwa Town, the southernmost settlement in Arakan State, is bound to succumb in the upcoming days. 

Consequently, the terrorist junta troops are withdrawing, igniting fires in villages and houses in Gwa Town, and demolishing bridges, according to the statement. 

Out of the four towns where the AA initiated simultaneous attacks—Taungup, Ann, Maungdaw, and Gwa—three have been fully seized, leaving only Gwa still standing. 

The AA’s statement also highlighted the junta’s actions of torching homes and villages, noting that this devastation is not confined to the Arakan region but occurs nearly every day throughout Myanmar.