Fighting between Arakha Army (AA)-led combined resistance forces and military junta troops has been ongoing since the evening of 12 March in the Thar Paung Lay, Kin Pun Chin, and Kyar Gaung areas, approximately 25 miles from Thabaung Township, Ayeyarwady Region, according to military sources.
The battle areas are located in the foothills of the Arakan Mountain Range, close to Ma Gyi Zin and Baw Mi, they said.
The fighting has expanded and continued through the afternoon of 13 March, according to a military source in the region.
“The clashes are taking place in areas between Baw Mi and Thabaung town. They’re happening in Thar Paung Lay, Kin Pun Chin and Kyar Gaung, which are about 25 miles from Thabaung. The fighting started at 3pm on 12 March. By midday on 13 March, it had spread to the Kyar Kaik and Thae Hpyu areas,” the source said.
Military sources reported that the military junta has been using bomber aircraft and helicopters during the battle.
A Thabaung resident said that continuous sounds of heavy and light weapons fire could be heard during the battle, indicating intense fighting.
“On 13 March, we could hear gunfire on and off. Then came heavy artillery fire. Since residents had already fled from previous fighting, detailed information about the battle is not available,” the resident said.
Following the capture of a guard outpost of Light Infantry Battalion-308 on 3 March by the AA and allied forces, they are continuing to attack to capture the entire LIB-308 base.
The fighting initially erupted on 25 February when the AA and allied forces attacked junta troops who were advancing toward Kin Pun Chin Mountain near Thae Hpyu village(East) in Thabaung Township.
Sent by Narinjara.