A recent attempt by the Arakan Army (AA) to seize control of Maungdaw Township and the strategically significant Myothugyi base, known as Battalion Nakha-Kha (5), has been thwarted, according to local sources. Reports initially circulated online suggesting the AA had gained control of the township. However, these claims have been contradicted by accounts from the ground, which indicate the AA’s efforts were unsuccessful.
The clash on November 10 involved over five hundred AA fighters advancing on Battalion Nakha-Kha (5), allegedly employing tunneling tactics near the battalion’s perimeter. The AA also used drones and heavy weaponry to gain ground. However, forces loyal to the State Administration Council (SAC), widely referred to as the “Junta,” countered with intense firepower, leading to significant casualties among the AA. Some of the drones deployed by the AA were reportedly intercepted, resulting in accidental losses within their own ranks.
The intense fighting extended into the night, with reports claiming over a hundred AA fighters were killed. Following the battle, confiscated weapons, including drones, were transported to Buthidaung via helicopter. Additionally, a military raid allegedly disrupted a meeting of AA leaders, further weakening their command structure.
Rohingya Armed Groups and Alleged SAC Collaboration
Complicating the situation, reports suggest armed Rohingya groups, including the “Junta-backed Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA),” have engaged in clashes against the AA. Background sources allege that ARSA recruits are forcibly inducted and deployed to fight against the AA, exacerbating tensions between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities. ARSA’s involvement has reportedly limited the AA’s ability to retreat toward Bangladesh and escape encirclement.
Despite claims of success from AA leaders abroad—potentially aimed at maintaining morale—local witnesses confirm the group’s mission to capture Battalion Nakha-Kha (5) failed. The battalion remains under SAC control, leaving the AA to grapple with heavy losses and a potential shortage of fighters.
This development underscores the growing complexity of the conflict in Rakhine State, where multiple factions vie for power, deepening ethnic and political divisions in the region.
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