The junta is launching a fierce offensive from Magway Region to retake guard outposts lost to the Arakan Army (AA) in neighboring Arakan (Rakhine) State, triggering intense daily clashes.
The junta is conducting daily offensives to retake its former positions in the Rakhine Yoma mountain range along the Ann-Padan Road, which is part of Ngape Township in Magway Region. The junta has planned to advance into Arakan State to infiltrate AA-controlled townships after regaining control of the road section.
The junta is using the Natyaekan Tactical Operations Command (Natyaekan TOC) in Ngape Township, adjacent to Arakan State, as its frontline headquarters for the operation. It has deployed 10 battalions, totaling about 1,400 troops, for the fierce clashes along the Arakan-Magway border. However, the AA’s effective counteroffensive has inflicted heavy casualties and thrown the junta’s forces into disarray.
“The area where junta troops are operating is getting tighter and tighter. They know that if Natyaekan falls, it could put the Directorate of Defence Industries 14 (DDI 14) at risk. That’s why the junta is pushing to retake the outposts it’s lost, trying to secure the area,” an AA frontline source said. The DDI refers to the junta's own weapons factories, with DDI 10 located near Ngape Town.
The AA source added that because of the AA’s strategic and coordinated counterattacks, only roughly 1,000 of the junta’s 1,400 troops remain, with the rest killed, captured, or having deserted, leaving the junta forces in a chaotic situation.
However, the junta has not slowed its offensive and continues daily attacks, providing its ground troops with extensive air cover and artillery support to push them forward.
“I think this fighting means more to the junta than just holding Natyaekan TOC. It could be tied to the upcoming elections it’s planning to oversee. It seems to want to hold voting in Ann, Taungup, and Gwa, but all of those towns are currently under AA control. So, it looks like the junta is trying to reach Ann from Magway. In other words, it is attempting to enter Arakan State through the Rakhine Yoma route,” an Arakan military analyst noted.
In early February, the AA and allied groups effectively cut off the Ann-Padan Road. They also launched an offensive toward the Natyaekan TOC, capturing at least 10 junta outposts in the nearby Rakhine Yoma mountain range.
Thus, the Natyaekan TOC is the only position the junta still controls in the region, and it is strategically vital. The coup regime is making strenuous efforts to hold it by deploying ground forces, launching airstrikes, and conducting heavy artillery shelling.
photo credit - AA
