AA begins battle for control of Gwa Town

The Arakkha Army (AA) has begun the battle for control of Gwa Town by attacking the military’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 563, according to sources close to the ethnic armed group.

By Admin 14 Dec 2024

Google Maps shows the military’s Gwa-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 563.
Google Maps shows the military’s Gwa-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 563.

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2024, Gwa

The Arakkha Army (AA) has begun the battle for control of Gwa Town by attacking the military’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 563, according to sources close to the ethnic armed group.

The AA has set its sights on the military’s LIB No. 563 in recent days after seizing military camps near Gwa.

“The fighting edges closer to Gwa. The AA attacked the military’s LIB No. 563 on Friday evening. Fighting was fierce last night,” said a military source on Saturday. “Junta soldiers from the military’s LIB No. 562 were gathered at LIB 563. We heard the sound of heavy weapons and small arms fire. Some junta officers were reportedly killed in the clash with the AA. The subsequent situation is not yet known.”

As the AA launched attacks on Gwa-based military regiments, some junta soldiers, as well as police officers from the Gwa police station, retreated across the Gwa Chaung Bridge to Ma Kyay Ngu Village.

The regime sent reinforcements to Gwa Town in 15 military vehicles from Ayeyarwady Region on the afternoon of December 14 to counter the AA offensive, according to military sources on the ground.

“Junta security personnel from the Gwa police station fled to Ayeyarwady Region following the fighting at the military’s LIB 563. The regime forces fired mortar shells into the scene of fighting. The regime sent reinforcements to Gwa Town in 15 military vehicles from Ayeyarwady Region,” said another military source.

With the two sides engaged in battle for control of Gwa, locals are struggling to escape, fearing they will be trapped by the fighting.

“Some residents who returned home during this month are unable to flee to safety. They live in fear,” said a resident of Gwa.

The AA has stepped up attacks on military camps and junta bases in an attempt to seize Taungup, Ann and Gwa townships after taking control of the entire Maungdaw region earlier this month.