The regime in Myanmar is facing significant setbacks in northwestern Rakhine State, having lost control of the strategic garrison town of Buthidaung on May 18. The defense of Maungdaw, another crucial frontier town, is faltering. Maungdaw is primarily guarded by Border Guard Police battalions and is predominantly populated by stateless Rohingya people, who also form the majority in Buthidaung.

The ongoing conflict has forced many residents from the region's diverse communities to flee. Since early this year, over 600 junta Border Guard Police have crossed into Bangladesh due to clashes with the Arakan Army (AA). In addition, several residents of Maungdaw have sought refuge in Bangladesh following recent skirmishes.

The current turmoil harks back to 2017, when the Myanmar military's "clearance operation" against the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army led to the exodus of more than 700,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh, fleeing violence and atrocities.

In a troubling development, at least 30 mortar shells landed on Bangladeshi territory during fighting in Maungdaw in February, resulting in the deaths of two civilians. This incident prompted the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry to issue a formal complaint to the Myanmar junta's ambassador to Bangladesh, Aung Kyaw Moe.

Amid escalating hostilities, the United League of Arakan, the political wing of the AA, has recently called for the evacuation of civilians and international organizations from Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Thandwe townships.

Civilian casualties have been reported due to the junta's air raids on towns captured by the AA along the Rakhine-Chin state border. Since launching its offensive in November, the AA has taken control of nine of the 17 townships in Rakhine, including Paletwa Township in Chin State. The group is also advancing on Ann Township, where the Myanmar military’s Western Command is stationed. Meanwhile, the regime is bolstering defenses in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State and its administrative center.

BOB Post