Residents of Maungdaw have reported that on the night of November 28, around 9 PM, the Myanmar junta launched airstrikes on Maungdaw town, which the Arakan Army (AA) is actively fighting to fully capture and control. The airstrikes included the dropping of bombs weighing up to 1,000 pounds.
The Arakan Army (AA) is conducting an offensive to fully seize the No. 5 Border Guard Police Battalion located at the entrance of Maungdaw town. In response, the Myanmar junta’s forces are providing intense support using fighter jets and large naval vessels. Due to this coordinated and heavy resistance involving ground, air, and naval forces, the Arakan Army is adopting a protracted approach to the battle. This has resulted in one of the longest-running clashes in Maungdaw Township.
As a result, the Myanmar junta’s forces are not only fiercely defending but are also reportedly suffering significant casualties, including deaths and injuries among their ranks. According to residents of Maungdaw, the junta is intensely attacking positions along creek outposts along the Naf River. These attacks appear to be aimed at securing escape routes and reinforcing supply lines for their troops.
“Two fighter jets dropped 1,000-pound bombs, causing the ground to shake violently. It felt like an earthquake,” a resident of Maungdaw told Border News Agency. “I think even some houses may have collapsed due to the intensity.”
Residents of Maungdaw reported that the Myanmar junta’s two fighter jets each dropped a 1,000-pound bomb targeting areas near the Naf River banks, including the Kanyinchaung Economic Zone, Chaungwa Outpost, Pyinpru Creek Outpost, and Aung Bala Creek Outpost, which are under the full control of the Arakan Army (AA).
However, Border News Agency has not been able to independently verify whether the Kanyinchaung Economic Zone, Chaungwa Outpost, Pyinpru Creek Outpost, and Aung Bala Creek Outpost were indeed targeted in the attacks.
Residents of Maungdaw reported that on the evening of November 24, the Myanmar junta carried out intense airstrikes targeting the border guard outposts along the Naf River banks, which had been fully captured by the Arakan Army (AA).
Residents of Maungdaw reported that the Myanmar junta’s fighter jets dropped two 500-pound bombs on the Makyee Creek Outpost along the Naf River bank and one 500-pound bomb on the Maung Ni Village Creek Outpost.
After the airstrikes, naval vessels of the Myanmar junta stationed in the Bay of Bengal also continuously fired heavy artillery, according to residents of Maungdaw.
The Myanmar junta is reportedly conducting intense operations to clear Arakan Army (AA) bases along the Naf River banks. According to sources within the junta, their naval forces are attempting to deploy reinforcements using landing crafts to provide additional support for their ground operations.
According to family members, in Maungdaw Township, only the No. 5 Border Guard Police Battalion remains, with over 500 personnel stationed there. All members of the border guard unit are reportedly facing severe food shortages and are suffering from injuries, with many in critical condition or dying.
Family members reported that all the border guard police personnel have not been receiving their salaries, and are also facing a lack of food supplies. As a result, they are forced to buy food and medicines from junta soldiers to survive.
According to family members of the border guard police personnel, those who are unable to buy food are left to eat leftovers that the junta soldiers leave behind. Additionally, the soldiers are reportedly abusing the border guard members and forcing them into dangerous frontline combat.
Family members of the border guard police personnel have reported that, in addition to members of Battalion 22, there are also border guard police units from other bases, including those stationed in Buthidaung and other locations, who have deserted. Additionally, some border guard police members from Maungdaw District have also fled.
Family members of the border guard police personnel have reported that while the Myanmar junta is using aircraft to deliver food, medicine, and weapons to the battalion, the supplies are insufficient due to the large number of soldiers. Additionally, these resources are mainly allocated to the junta soldiers, with little or no consideration given to the border guard police personnel.
On September 27, the Arakan Army (AA) announced that they would intensify their offensive to fully capture the No. 5 Border Guard Police Battalion. Despite ongoing attacks, residents of Maungdaw reported that the Arakan Army is taking its time to secure the area, indicating that the operation is ongoing.
