A deputy battalion commander known as Barlee from the military council was killed by a drone strike from the Arakan Army (AA) during fighting at Gut Saung Yoe camp on the Ann-Padan road between Rakhine State and Magway Region. This was revealed in video testimony by defected military soldiers Aung Thu Htun and Nay Lin Aung who surrendered to the AA.
According to defector Aung Thu Htun, their battalion arrived at the Border Pagoda Hill in the Rakhine battlefront on January 20, 2025, with fighting breaking out the next day. Due to heavy casualties, they had to retreat to Gut Saung Yoe, where battles continued and Deputy Battalion Commander Barlee was killed by an AA drone strike. Due to the intensity of the fighting, Barlee’s body had to be buried at the location.
The deceased Deputy Battalion Commander Barlee was from Infantry Battalion 79 under Military Division 99, leading approximately 150 troops who had arrived at the Rakhine battlefront via Padan town. After suffering heavy casualties during the Gut Saung Yoe battle, the remaining troops were regrouped by a captain and retreated to Kataunggyi military camp.
After staying at Kataunggyi for about 10 days, they were forced to further retreat to Nat Yay Kan camp due to AA offensives, with only about 30 soldiers remaining at that point, according to Aung Thu Htun. Currently, the AA and allied forces are engaged in operations to capture Nat Yay Kan camp and the Strategic Hill Air Defense camp. The Nat Yay Kan camp is a crucial strategic position in Padan military zone of Ngape Township in Magway Region, where the military council maintains a significant defensive force.
