The Arakha Army (AA) is launching a fierce offensive to take complete control of Gwa town in the southernmost part of Arakan State, while the military junta is fiercely defending with attacks from the air, land, and sea, according to military sources.
Since 13 December, the AA has been attacking the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-563, which is the town’s garrison. The battles remained intense as of morning of 16 December, according to sources close to the AA.
“The military is conducting bombing attacks. Yesterday (15 Dec.), one plane came and bombed around noon and then another came at around 1pm. They bombed the hospital, and an area near Ah Lel Ywar village in Myoma Ward of Gwa, and the Kyaw Zan gas station near the town’s exit point towards Thandwe,” said one military source.
Gwa hosts two junta battalions – LIB 562 and LIB 563. In the face of the AA’s offensives, the junta has established defensive positions in the buildings within the town.
The junta has also set up more posts at the town’s entrance and exit points and begun mounting artillery near Ma Kyay Ngu village on the Ayeyarwady side.
According to military sources, Gwa is now the only remaining town in the southern part of Arakan State bordering mainland Myanmar.
The military council has sent a series of reinforcements and weapons from the Ayeyarwady side to prevent the town from falling.
“The battle is fierce. The situation is especially concerning for those still trapped inside the town. Before the fighting intensified, some residents had returned from displacement on the Ayeyarwady side due to difficult living conditions. Now they are all trapped,” said a Gwa resident familiar with the ground situation.
The AA, which has already captured multiple townships in Arakan State, continues to launch unceasing attacks to capture the remaining towns.
Currently, the AA has captured 12 townships in Arakan State, including Paletwa in Chin State, with only Kyaukpyu, Manaung, and Sittwe remaining.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).
