The Arakan Army (AA) announced on 7 October  that their fighters captured the Mel Taung tactical operation command, one of the last remaining bases located outside of Ann town of Arakan State, along with all surrounding small military camps at 3:50 pm.

The said operation command is situated roughly 14 kilometers away from the western command in Ann district town.

“The  362nd, 365th and 369th light infantry battalions from the military operations command (MOC-10) based in Kale, Mawlaik and Homalin under the Sagaing region along with battalions from the western command and the 346th, 372nd and 373rd light infantry battalions under MOC-5  gathered at the Mel Taung tactical operation command to operate in the areas surrounding Mel Taung and the western command,” said the AA statement.

It  further stated that the said tactical operation command and its surrounding hill-based camps were under siege by the AA fighters for an extended period. During the offensive to capture the command, the AA fighters seized weapons and military equipment from the junta forces.

Positions of the Mel Taung tactical operation command were captured  by the AA fighters following the onset of skirmishes that began at 11:50 am on 26 September, which is approximately 400 meters west of Kyauk Sa Kwe village under Ann township.

The AA also asserted that the ‘fascist & terrorist’ military junta, having faced military defeats, is now attacking civilians with airstrikes and committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Photo: AA seized weapons and military equipment from Mel Taung tactical operation command.