Arakha Times (13 December 2024)
As the Military Council builds an artillery base and prepares defences against the fall of Gwa Township, another artillery base is being constructed near the Beida camp in anticipation of a possible AA attack on the Ayeyarwady Region following Gwa’s fall.
The Military Council has positioned artillery between the Myo Thit football field and the airport to prevent the fall of Gwa and has stationed heavy weapons on Min Taung to resist the AA’s attack.
Similarly, an artillery base is being built near the Beida camp on the Gwa-Nga Thaing Chaung road to ensure continued defence of the Ayeyarwady Region if Gwa falls.
“Yesterday, I saw soldiers (from the Military Council) burning a village on the banks of the middle village. I didn’t dare to go and look. We don’t know what happened because we can’t even get through on the phone,” a resident of Gwe told the Arakha Times.
The Military Council has also planted mines at the entrance to Gwa and is preparing defences at the top of the bridge.
The Military Council in Gwa, Rakhine State, has stopped allowing civilians to enter or leave the city, effectively using them as human shields.
“There are still elderly and sick people trapped in the city. They aren’t allowing them to leave, even if they need medical treatment. They have told us not to let anyone out,” a resident of Gwa told the Arakha Times.
Fighting is ongoing in the villages of Sibin and Kyaukgyi, located 5 miles north of Gwa, with the Military Council providing naval and air support.
The Military Council has deployed the 18th Battalion of the Kha La Ya, based in Hinthada Township, and the 51st Battalion of the Kha La Ya, based in Maubin Township, to defend Gwa. It is reported that five battalions, including the 63rd Battalion based in Eain Mel Township and the 532nd Battalion based in Yangon and Hlaing Tharyar, are jointly sending reinforcements.
