Junta reinforces bases in southern Arakan State

By Admin 17 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 January 2024, Kyaukphyu

As fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) escalates in northern Arakan State, the regime is heavily reinforcing its bases in southern Arakan State.

The regime is bringing in large numbers of troops and weapons in Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships by sea and by air, the Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement on Tuesday.

The regime is no longer capable of sending reinforcements by road, and is sending reinforcements by air and by sea, said the statement, which accuses the regime of deliberately attacking and arbitrarily seizing civilians.

Some buildings and houses in Ramree town were damaged by junta naval strikes on Monday.

There have been clashes between junta troops and the AA in southern Arakan State, though they have been relatively few and low intensity. 

Fighting has been fierce in northern Arakan State as the AA is attacking junta bases in Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships.

The fighting has been raging in Arakan State for more than two months, since November 13. The AA has seized almost all the junta outposts in rural Arakan State, and is attacking to seize towns.

As the Brotherhood Alliance has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with the regime in northern Shan State, fighting could escalate in Arakan State, say political observers.