Rakhine State’s ethnic Arakan Army (AA) claims it has seized junta bases on the border with neighboring Magwe, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions in recent days.
On Monday, the AA announced it was advancing eastward through the Rakhine (Arakan) Mountains and had captured the Moe Hti base between Rakhine’s Taungup and Bago’s Padaung on Sunday, after a five-day assault.
The AA said it seized weapons, ammunition and other military equipment from the base, where it also found the bodies of junta soldiers. A counterattack mounted by regime troops from Bago Region had failed, it added.
Fighting was also reported on the Rakhine-Ayeyarwady border on Monday, as junta troops backed by air and artillery strikes attempted to retake their Point 263 base, which the AA seized on Sunday.
AA troops also captured the neighboring Point 369 base on Jan. 21.
Clashes were also reported near Shwe Thaung Yan town, northwest of Ayeyarwady Region’s capital, Pathein, as AA troops advanced into the region after seizing Rakhine’s southernmost Gwa township on Dec. 29.
Residents say AA troops now control Magyizin and Bomie villages near Shwe Thaung Yan, leaving the nearby popular beach resort of Chaungtha deserted.
The ethnic army also reported that junta troops fled during a clash near Goksiyoe village on the Rakhine-Magwe border on Monday. The AA said it was advancing along the Ann-Padan toward Magwe Region’s Ngape Township with help from at least three local resistance groups.
Chin Defence Force (Asho) said it had captured 17 regime soldiers and seized their weapons and ammunition as they retreated along the Ann-Padan road from Ann Township over the weekend.
The AA has seized 14 out of Rakhine’s 17 townships, along with Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State, since launching its Rakhine offensive in late 2023. It reports nearly daily attacks with drones, snipers and artillery near the Rakhine State capital, Sittwe.
