RAKHINE STATE – An Arakan Army (AA) frontline source revealed that there have been continuous surrenders from junta forces in the battles near Gwa.
AA forces launched an offensive towards Hwa since early October and there have been daily battles with the junta council using airstrikes consistently. After the fighting has continued for nearly two months, the battles have now approached the closest distance from Gwa and the junta soldiers including newly conscripted soldiers are reportedly surrendering one after another.
“As the battle takes place nearest to Gwa, the (junta) navy is providing support by firing heavy weapons. The junta forces are suffering losses and retreating. It has reached near Gwa. Dead bodies and weapons are seized and POWs are captured. There are also some newly conscripted soldiers among those who surrendered. The battalions in Gwa were told to surrender but they have yet to reply,” explained the AA source.
AA first intercepted and attacked the junta reinforcement column headed to Gwa on November 24, completely eliminating the entire column after attacking it at Thankhaekyaing Village, the beach near the village and between Thankhaekyaing and Kinpon Village within three days. Over 120 dead bodies of junta soldiers were recovered and several POWs alongside weapons and ammunition were captured during those battles.
The junta column eliminated by AA near Gwa had 184 troops and reportedly consisted of soldiers from Ayeyarwaddy based battalions.
In addition, AA is also attacking the junta Military Operations Command (MOC) 5 in Tongup Township and although parts of the area were captured, fighting is still ongoing.
