Revolutionary forces led by the Arakan Army (AA) have successfully captured the military council’s Nyaung Kyoe camp in Bago Region’s Pantaung Township, according to revolutionary sources. Fighting between AA forces and military council troops had been ongoing at the Nyaung Kyoe camp since January, with the military council mounting heavy resistance including airstrikes. However, after nearly two months of intense fighting, military forces began withdrawing from the camp on March 11, and AA forces have now taken full control of the facility. This marks the second military camp in Bago Region to fall under AA control.
Previously, AA forces had captured the Mohtay Taung camp in Pantaung Township, which borders Thandwe Township in Rakhine State, on January 26. During the battle for Nyaung Kyoe camp, military council forces suffered heavy casualties, and AA forces captured several prisoners of war along with significant amounts of weapons and ammunition, according to revolutionary sources. Despite the military council’s attempts to reinforce the camp with new conscripts and support troops, and despite their use of air support, they were unable to maintain control of the position.
Currently, military council forces and reinforcements have established defensive positions in Ottarathiri town, where artillery bases within the town are continuously firing heavy weapons. Local sources report frequent movement of military convoys along the Ottarathiri-Pantaung road. The AA has officially announced that they are expanding their offensive operations into Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, and Magway Region, all of which border Rakhine State. This latest capture represents a significant expansion of AA’s territorial control and demonstrates their growing military capabilities in central Myanmar, dealing another strategic blow to the military council’s attempts to maintain control over these regions.
