Fighting between the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) and Myanmar's military junta continues to intensify along the Rakhine-Ayeyarwady border, with the ULA/AA claiming it successfully repelled junta offensives and inflicted casualties on government troops, according to a statement released by the group on August 5.
According to the statement, the junta has launched simultaneous offensives in Magway Region, Bago Region, Ayeyarwady Region, southern Chin State, and other areas bordering the Arakan region. At the same time, it has continued carrying out airstrikes on civilian-populated towns and villages under ULA/AA control, including Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Thandwe, Gwa, Kyeintali, Wirathani (Pauktaw), and areas between Ponnagyun and Sittwe. The group said hospitals, schools, religious buildings, and other civilian infrastructure have been targeted by air raids around the clock, while naval warships stationed offshore have also shelled these areas with heavy artillery.
The ULA/AA said that ground battles remain ongoing in nearly all areas where junta forces are attempting to advance. It claimed that after failing to gain the upper hand in ground combat, the military has increasingly relied on its air power to sustain its offensive operations.
The statement added that clashes along the Rakhine-Ayeyarwaddy border persisted throughout July. Although the intensity of fighting fluctuated due to heavy rainfall and weather conditions, battles both large and small continued almost daily.
On August 2, troops from Infantry Battalions 1 and 11 under the junta's 66th Light Infantry Division, reinforced from the Pathein Regional Military Command, and reportedly launched an offensive toward Gwa Township. The ULA/AA said two separate clashes lasting nearly two hours took place about 3.3 kilometers and 3.7 kilometers northwest of Rone Pin Village in Yekyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region.
The first battle occurred from 11:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. The ULA/AA said junta troops attacked using drones and heavy ground fire support, but its forces successfully repelled the assault, forcing the military to retreat after suffering casualties. It also claimed to have seized several weapons, ammunition, and the bodies of junta soldiers during the fighting.
A second clash broke out at around 3:04 p.m. the same day, approximately 3.7 kilometers northwest of Rone Pin Village. According to the statement, junta forces again launched a large-scale assault but were met with defensive and counteroffensive operations by ULA/AA troops. After more than an hour of fighting, the military allegedly retreated in disarray after sustaining further casualties, while the ULA/AA claimed it recovered additional weapons, ammunition, and the bodies of junta personnel.
The ULA/AA also reported that another fierce battle lasting nearly two hours took place on August 1, about 1.06 kilometers east of Thapaung Kalay Village in Thabaung Township, Ayeyarwady Region. The group said it seized additional weapons and ammunition from junta forces during that engagement.
The statement concluded by commending ULA/AA soldiers for their courage and discipline in successfully defending against repeated junta offensives and carrying out effective counterattacks.
Photo: AA Info Desk.
