Junta claims AA, resistance fighters surrendered amid setbacks in Ayeyarwady

By Admin 30 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

30 July 2026, Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region

The military junta has claimed that 32 members of the Arakan Army and the People's Defence Force (PDF) surrendered with weapons and ammunition, despite ongoing fighting and continued battlefield losses suffered by regime forces in Ayeyarwady Region.

In a statement released on July 29, the regime claimed that 20 Arakan Army members and 12 PDF fighters surrendered with their arms and ammunition and were later handed over to their parents at the Southwestern Regional Military Command in Pathein.

Following its capture of Gwa Township in Arakan State, the Arakan Army has expanded its offensive into Ayeyarwady Region, capturing several strategic hilltop outposts and at least five junta positions in Yekyi Township.

According to the junta, the alleged Arakan Army members who surrendered included four from Gwa Township; six from Thandwe Township; three from Paletwa Township in Chin State; two from Myebon Township; and one each from Minbya, Ramree, and Taungup townships, as well as one each from Kyaitlat and Laymyethna townships in Ayeyarwady Region.

The regime also claimed that the 12 PDF members comprised 11 men and one woman, including three from Laymyethna Township; two each from Yekyi, Pathein, and Danubyu townships; one from Ingapu Township in Ayeyarwady Region; and one each from Insein and Dagon Seikkan townships in Yangon Region.

According to the junta, those who surrendered handed over 13 firearms, including MA-1, MA-2, BA-63, Type-81, M-22, LM-16, and AK-47 rifles, along with six Chinese hand grenades, 456 rounds of assorted ammunition, and 20 magazines.

DMG was unable to independently verify the junta's claims and is seeking comment from Arakan Army spokesperson U Khaing Thukha.

Heavy fighting continues between junta forces and joint resistance forces led by the Arakan Army in Laymyethna and Yekyi townships in Ayeyarwady Region.

Critics say the regime has repeatedly issued unverified claims of resistance fighters surrendering as it suffers battlefield setbacks.

In March, the junta similarly claimed that 506 members of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, the Arakan Army, the National Unity Government-aligned People's Defence Force, and other resistance groups had surrendered with weapons during a ceremony held at Central Command in Mandalay.

Military observers and resistance members said photographs and video footage from the event indicated the regime was attempting to stage a propaganda campaign aimed at undermining the morale of resistance forces.

The junta has intensified counter-offensives in Ayeyarwady Region using large troop deployments, continuous airstrikes, and heavy artillery in an effort to recapture lost positions, with clashes continuing daily in Yekyi and Thabaung townships.