A Myanmar military column of approximately 200 troops suffered heavy casualties. It was forced to retreat after being ambushed by the Arakan Army (AA) near the Nat Yay Kan tactical base, according to ground military sources.

The advancing column, dispatched to reinforce Nat Yay Kan—the regime’s last remaining stronghold along the strategic Ann-Padan Road linking Rakhine (Arakan) State to central Myanmar—was intercepted near Gotegyi Village on August 16.

Nearly 50 junta personnel were killed and dozens more wounded during the ensuing clash, while AA forces seized a significant stockpile of weapons and ammunition, sources said.

“The column was attempting to reinforce Nat Yay Kan under cover of air support,” a ground source reported. “They were intercepted as they moved out from Gotegyi Village toward the base, suffering heavy losses before retreating into Gotegyi.”

Following the setback, the junta launched heavy airstrikes along the road between Gotegyi and Nat Yay Kan.

On August 17, regime forces evacuated wounded soldiers from Gotegyi to Artillery Battalion 905, based in Padan in neighboring Magway Region.

Ground sources noted that the regime has been attempting since July to reinforce Nat Yay Kan using troops drawn from the Monywa-based Northwestern Command.

The battle for Nat Yay Kan has dragged on for over a year and a half, underscoring its strategic weight for both sides.

For the junta, maintaining the hilltop base is critical to shielding Magway Region, key defense industry factories, and air defense assets.

For the Arakan Army, securing the road section is essential to severing military access to Rakhine State.

To hold the position, the junta has deployed rotating forces from Light Infantry Divisions 77 and 99, Military Operations Commands 10, 14, and 17, the Northwestern Command, and allied militias.

However, AA forces and their allies have maintained a tight siege on the main hilltop outpost since early 2025, repeatedly repelling regime efforts to break the blockade.