The Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) is joining the Arakan Army (AA) in its offensive against the junta’s Directorate of Defence Industries 16 (Weapons Factory 16) in Padaung Township, Bago Region, where the junta is mounting fierce resistance, AA frontline sources said.

Junta troops from the factory are currently engaged in heavy clashes with the AA-BPLA coalition as the regime soldiers attempt to secure the surrounding areas, while also launching airstrikes to repel the coalition’s offensive.

As the AA-led coalition advances, production at the factory has been forced to scale down, while defensive structures are being reinforced and additional guard outposts constructed, according to AA sources.

“As the AA fighters get closer, the junta is scrambling to build more defensive fortifications in an attempt to hold out. The regime is using air support while its ground troops try to slow down the AA advance. But they’re taking heavy losses because of the coalition’s coordinated attacks,” a source told DMG.

The BPLA announced on March 25 that troops from its Tactical Operations Region Commands 203 and 308 have been supporting the AA’s operations targeting Directorate of Defence Industries 16.

The BPLA statement said that troops who fought alongside the AA in the operations to capture Point 666 and Nyaungkyoe military bases, as well as in the ongoing battles around Directorate of Defence Industries 16, were awarded medals, while the fallen were honored as martyrs.

Military analysts suggested that the BPLA and AA’s joint operations could further boost the revolution's momentum and advance the overthrow of the military dictatorship.

“If you look at the military situation in the Bago Region, it’s clear that forming resistance coalitions brings better results. We’ve seen the AA not only capture the junta’s bases but also reach the point where it can start threatening the weapons factories,” an Arakan military analyst pointed out.

The BPLA has three military regional commands, and troops from two of them are participating in operations in Padaung alongside the AA.

The AA-led coalition has already taken control of four junta tactical command bases in Padaung Township: Point 666, Nyaungkyoe, Pagankwe, and Moehti.

On the other hand, the junta is making every effort to defend Directorate of Defence Industries 16, while also attempting to retake Nyaungkyoe, one of the lost bases, through ground operations and drone strikes.