The Arakan Army (AA) has officially announced the complete capture of the military council’s Nyaung Kyoe Strategic Base in Pantanaw Township, Bago Region. The base was fully seized on April 2nd, following a 16-day offensive operation that began on March 17th. Although the AA forces had opportunities to pursue and attack the retreating military council troops who fled in disarray, they chose to halt their offensive operations in respect of their unilateral ceasefire declaration.
The Arakan Army, along with their alliance partners from the Kokang and Ta’ang organizations, declared a one-month unilateral ceasefire beginning April 1st. This decision was made in response to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28th and its subsequent aftershocks, which caused significant damage across Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Shan State, Bago Region, and Naypyidaw, among other areas. The AA explained that this ceasefire was motivated by humanitarian concerns and a spirit of national unity to assist earthquake-affected civilians.
However, the military council has violated its own declared unilateral ceasefire by continuously attacking AA positions around Kyaukphyu and Sittwe cities in Rakhine State since April 2nd and even before. These attacks have included artillery fire, drone bombs, airstrikes, and naval bombardments. The military council has also been conducting daily counter-offensives against AA columns in Bago Region, Ayeyarwady Region, and other areas. The AA has provided detailed documentation of these violations in their statement.
Notably, on April 2nd, the military council launched intensive attacks on areas near Thapyu Taung, Pyar Tae, and Pyin Shay villages in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State. These operations were led by forces from the Thetpoke Taung Naval Base, Dortain Taung Police Battalion 32, and ground forces. In a single day, there were approximately 90 drone bombing attacks and over 60 artillery strikes recorded. The military council has continued its aggressive operations despite the declared ceasefire, demonstrating a clear pattern of violations against their own commitments to temporary peace.
