Myanmar army attacking location of AA base in Aung Thar Zay village on July 20.

AN. Sittway. July 20, 2020. 

 

Several battalions in Maungdaw are reshuffled in recent days. Local people report 39 military trucks loading with women, children, and soldiers have been moving to Sittway since July 19.

 

“We saw many soldiers and families were shipped to Sittway by navy landing crafts yesterday morning in Ah Ngu Maw port,” a resident said. 

 

Light Infantry Battalion 223, 224, 226, 374, Military Operation Command 15, and Artillery Battalion 378 have bases in Maungdaw. The local people do not know what battalions are replaced with. 

 

Analysts are concerned the unusual and abrupt changes of battalions in Maugdaw township in this raining season. They believe more troops from southern parts of Shan State are refilling Maungdaw area. 

 

Two police outposts in Thanzin Myaning and Nyung Pin Hla were burned down, and police from these bases are regrouped in Zardi Pyin police station. All family members have been moved out to Sittway. 

 

Military Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said the police and security forces are emerging for strong defense unit in western region of Rarhedaung township. 

 

Myanmar troops were attacking Arakan Army defense lines in Aung Thar Zay village at mind night while artilleries and shells were consistently firing to the hill and nearby mountains the whole night. 

 

Local residents said, “Myanmar troops were attacking AA positions from the brook and river valley at mind night. They tried to seize AA bases, but AA commandos killed a lot of Myanmar soldiers and stopped fighting after 3 am.”

 

The clashes are resuming after 1 o’clock today near Htee Wea and Aung Thar Zay villages.

 

Myanmar army has been attacking AA positions in Kyauk Tan village track since July 16, and no advance is made yet but suffering with heavy casualties.

 

The analysts said Myanmar soldiers are very old and have no courage to fight with young and weather adopted local fighters of AA under these rainy days. 

 

“The more they attack, the most they will suffer. The only advantage the Myanmar army has is the artillery firepower. It does not work either during the monsoon and windy season,” he said.