The Arakan Army (AA) and its allied forces have seized the junta’s Natyaekan military base in Magway Region’s Ngape Township, near the border of Arakan (Rakhine) State.

The Natyaekan base, a major fortification in the region, is situated along the highway linking Ann Town in Arakan State with Padan Village in Ngape Township.

The AA and its allied forces began their assault on the Natyaekan base in February, facing strong resistance as the junta dispatched reinforcements to hold the position. After nearly nine months of fighting, the AA successfully captured the entire base on October 14.

“Right now, our troops are pursuing and eliminating the remaining enemy soldiers. We secured control of the base yesterday afternoon, and the AA will share more details soon,” said a resistance frontline force.

After suffering a major setback, the junta has launched a series of airstrikes around the hilltop camp it recently lost.

The AA and its allied forces captured Fighter Hill, a key defensive outpost near the Natyaekan base, on October 9. Following this success, the AA intensified its offensive against the weakened Natyaekan base and succeeded in seizing it five days later.

“The AA has now taken full control of the entire base. Earlier, the junta had airdropped supplies to its remaining troops there, and right now, it’s launching airstrikes around the area,” another frontline source told DMG.

The junta is currently dispatching reinforcements from Padan to retake the lost base, while the AA and its allied forces may intercept them before they make progress.

The Natyaekan base, designated by the junta for air defense, is a military facility of critical importance in the regional security landscape.

“Capturing the base will allow the AA to secure control over the border areas of Magway Region and strengthen its hold on Ann in Arakan State. Previously, the junta had used the Natyaekan base as a foothold to try to retake Ann from the AA and to protect its weapons factories in Magway. With the base now under its control, the AA can threaten the junta’s weapons factories in Padan and Minbu,” a military analyst said.

The AA has seized control of 14 townships in Arakan State and continues to conduct operations in the neighboring Magway, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions. The junta’s weapons factories in the Bago and Magway regions are now facing a significant threat from AA offensives, according to military and political analysts.