Reports indicate that the Arakan Army (AA) implemented synchronized assaults on the Dhanyawaddy Navy base, which is the largest naval installation located along the Rakhine coast, and Police Battalion 32, the main defense base for the junta on the ground, employing drones and heavy artillery.
A military source in the region reported to Narinjara that artillery shells from the AA hit barracks 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the assembly hall of the Dhanyawaddy Navy headquarters located in Thit Poke Taung, Kyaukphyu Township, resulting in injuries to soldiers.
“I saw two bombs strike the dormitory and one bomb strike the conference hall. On Monday, smoke was observed rising from the location, and there were reports of injuries and fatalities,” he said.
On January 6, a naval vessel transferred the wounded individuals from Danyawaddy Naval Base to Kyaukpyu for medical treatment.
“A navy ship arrived at Kyaukpyu Port to transport patients to the hospital. Individuals with serious injuries were transported by air to Mingalardon Military Hospital in Yangon," he stated.
Likewise, the artillery shells from AA and drone bombs caused damage to the 32nd Police Battalion, an important base for the junta, with some dormitories impacted, according to a local source close to the military.
“The terrorist army initiated attacks on the AA with drones and heavy weaponry, leading to a response from the AA aimed at the police battalion. The conflicts continue, with intense gunfire happening both day and night," the source clarified.
The AA is using innovative guerrilla warfare tactics to target the 32nd Police Battalion on the outskirts of Kyaukpyu town and patrol units in the vicinity of the Thit Poke Taung area.
The military is experiencing major losses as AA consistently intercepts their columns, prompting the reliance on heavy weaponry, drones, and naval assistance to anticipate AA's movements and engage in daily skirmishes.
In a military evaluation, CDM Captain Zin Yaw emphasized the importance of sending military forces to Kyaukphyu to prevent the Arakan Army from taking control.
The combat occurring outside the city continues to be severe, as the front lines are pulling back nearer to the city out of fear of AA infiltration. The Arakan Army's use of firepower is regarded as a strategic advantage,” he remarked.
