Clashes between the Myanmar junta’s military and the Arakan Army (AA) have been reported in multiple locations around Gwa Township, the strategic southernmost township in Rakhine State, since Sunday, according to residents.
The AA, a member of the Brotherhood Alliance of three ethnic armies, has advanced to a location approximately 32 km to the north of Gwa town after seizing Kyeintali town in Thandwe District on Aug. 14, and fighting has broken out in at least at four areas in the township.
Gwa town abuts the Arakan Mountains, known locally as the Rakhine Yoma, and the northernmost rural areas of Ngathaingchaung town in Ayeyarwady Region’s Yegi Township. Gwa is also home to the headquarters of the junta’s Light Infantry Battalions 562 and 563.
As they prepare to defend themselves against expected AA attacks, junta troops inside these bases are shelling the north of the town, the residents said.
Meanwhile, junta military columns between Thandwe and Gwa have dispersed, as they are no longer able to hold off the AA’s offensive, a Thandwe resident said.
“As the clashes are getting closer to the town, the residents are growing more concerned. But the junta’s military has now blocked all the routes to Ayeyarwady Region,” a Gwa resident said.
Hundreds of people managed to flee Gwa in recent weeks, but as the junta’s military has now blocked the escape routes, thousands of residents are now trapped in the town and live in fear that clashes in the township will escalate.
Taungup, Thandwe and Gwa are coastal townships in the southernmost part of Rakhine State, and are near Ayeyarwady Region’s northernmost Myanaung District and Bago Region’s westernmost townships.
The AA has not yet been able to take control of Taungup Township, although it captured Ma-ei town in the township in May. The AA took control of Thandwe Township in late July.
According to a local media report, junta forces in Taungup began deploying artillery and troops at Taungup University on Aug. 23 in preparation for an AA attack.
Since the Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 last October, the AA has seized at least 15 towns in Rakhine State and one in southernmost Chin State. Rakhine State has 17 townships and only the capital Sittwe along with Munaung, Ann and Gwa townships remain firmly under the control of the junta’s military. The 13 other townships have been partially or entirely seized by the AA.
The International Crisis Group said on Tuesday that the AA has made rapid advances across Rakhine since November last year and is set to create the single largest area controlled by an ethnic armed group since the coup in February 2021.
“The AA will do its best to take control of strategic Gwa Township as soon as possible before the junta’s military can send in reinforcements through Ayeyarwady Region,” said an analyst who is monitoring the conflict in Rakhine.
For its part, the junta is determined to maintain control of the township, as it needs it as a base from which to reinforce and supply townships farther north.
The AA said in a statement on Aug. 26 that heavy clashes are ongoing in Kyeintali Town in Thandwe Township, as the junta’s navy has deployed eight vessels in the town’s waterways.
“Intense clashes are breaking out between our Arakan Army and the fascist junta military’s Maung Shwe Lay Naval Base near Kyauk Par Sat Village, Kyeintali town,” the AA said.
It said the naval vessels were sending reinforcements, arms and ammunition to nearby areas via waterways, while continuously shelling villages in the area.
