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Arakan Army intensifies border offensives in strategic push

AA targets junta bases in Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magway regions as it expands beyond Rakhine

The Arakan Army (AA), which dominates much of Rakhine State in western Myanmar, is intensifying attacks on junta bases in neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magway regions, according to a statement and sources close to AA.

One source closely affiliated with the AA told Myanmar Now that the powerful armed group is planning to launch offensives on the remaining junta bases in Rakhine State, hoping to overwhelm the junta near its borders.

“The battles aren’t over yet,” the source said. “The offensives are still ongoing. And there are continued clashes at the Magway-Rakhine border, Bago-Rakhine border.  Lastly, there are some clashes taking place in certain areas in Ayeyarwady Region.”

Clashes are also occurring across the Yoma mountain range, especially along the Bago-Rakhine border. In response, the junta has launched counter-attacks from the Bago Region side, according to an AA statement released on Monday.

The statement included photos of seized weapons, drones, and drone jamming devices taken during the clashes. The document also included photos of AA troops at the border of Magway Region.

Pro-junta channels reported that on January 20, around 50 AA fighters initiated an assault  near the Moe Hti Mountain base on the Rakhine-Bago border. Regime troops reportedly returned fire and later seized rifles and ammunition after the clashes. The AA stated it captured the junta’s Point 369 base on January 21, and the Point 263 base on January 26.

Despite the heavy presence of junta battalions in western Bago, the National Unity Government (NUG) and its affiliated resistance forces are active and operating throughout the region.

According to another source close to the AA, the armed group has captured the coastal village of Baw Mi near Shwethaungyan, Ayeyarwady Region, yet fighting continues around the village. Heavy fighting has persisted in the area for weeks, with many residential areas destroyed by junta airstrikes.

“It’s back and forth,” the source said. “The AA drives them out, and then the junta tries to get back in. And Baw Mi isn’t just a small area, it’s quite large. Junta troops retreated from Baw Mi, but fighting is still happening at the edges of the village’s creek.” 

The AA reported a clash on Monday near Gokeseeyoe Village in Ngape Township, Magway Region. The attack targeted a joint military column from Light Infantry Battalion 419 and Battalion 14 under Light Infantry Division 99 on the Ann-Padan road. Junta forces retreated toward Gokeseeyoe Village.

The AA stated they pursued retreating junta forces, finding more bodies and seizing weapons and ammunition. Both sides engaged near Sittwe, using heavy artillery, snipers, and drones.

The AA controls 14 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State including; Thandwe, Ramree, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, and most recently, Ann. The group has stated it is open to dialogue with the military regime as it continues to take more ground across Rakhine State and other regions. 

The successful liberation of Ann and other recent gains has put the AA in almost full control of Rakhine State. The junta retains only the capital of Sittwe, Manaung Island, and the port town of Kyaukphyu. 

“In Kyaukphyu, the AA has surrounded the junta all the way up to the Kyauk Talone Pagoda,” one source told Myanmar Now. “In that area, only the junta’s Dhanyawadi Naval Base remains under their control.”

Arakan Army soldiers at the border area between Magway Region and Rakhine State (Photo: Arakan Army)

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