Arakan Army Claims Victories Over Myanmar Junta Across Rakhine State

Recent confrontations between the AA and the junta near the Koe Thaung pagoda in Mrauk U Township resulted in significant losses for the junta, followed by regime airstrikes.

Staff Reporter

Dec 17, 2023, 06:01 AM2 min read

Arakan Army Claims Victories Over Myanmar Junta Across Rakhine State

Arakan Army soldiers at the conquered Traunaing hilltop outpost on December 5. / AA

The Arakan Army (AA) has declared the capture of 142 positions held by the Myanmar junta, spanning 15 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in the neighboring Chin State.

In a statement released on Thursday, the AA reported the seizure of major targets, including a base in the state capital Sittwe, and outposts in 14 other townships in Rakhine State, along with approximately 17 positions in Paletwa, over a 45-day period of attacks. Ongoing clashes persist in Mrauk U, Pauktaw, and Maungdaw townships in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa in southern Chin.

Recent confrontations between the AA and the junta near the Koe Thaung pagoda in Mrauk U Township resulted in significant losses for the junta, followed by regime airstrikes. Mrauk U residents reported airstrikes on several villages and the town itself, causing damage to houses, religious structures, and pagodas.

The conflict extends to Maungdaw and Pauktaw, with continued AA attacks on a major junta camp in Paletwa. Traunaing and Hnone Buu strongholds in the township have already been captured.

The AA targeted a junta outpost in Sinletwa, approximately 50km northwest of Paletwa town, on Tuesday, causing villagers to flee into the jungle, with communication lines severed.

The junta's response has involved widespread arrests, with at least 300 Rakhine State residents detained since November 13, according to the AA. Detentions occurred in various townships, and reports indicate arbitrary arrests during household registration inspections, particularly at night.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 32 civilian fatalities and 96 injuries caused by junta shelling and gunfire by December 4. The number of displaced individuals exceeded 101,000, mainly from Pauktaw, Minbya, and Ponnagyun townships since mid-November.

Escalating violence includes incidents like an 11-year-old Muslim villager in Buthidaung Township being severely injured by a Light Infantry Battalion 565 shell. In Mrauk U Township, a monastery was hit by a shell from Light Infantry Battalion 540, severely injuring a monk. Other incidents involve a Minbya resident losing a leg due to a landmine behind the police station, and reports of the Light Infantry Battalion 541 in Minbya firing on passing boats.