AA’s artillery fire killed over 20 military junta soldiers during Min Pyin battle

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Around 24 military junta soldiers were killed in artillery fire by the Arakan Army (AA) during the Min Pyin battle, Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, according to military sources in Kyaukphyu.

The military junta troops are marching from the 32nd Police Battalion in Kyaukphyu Township and the Dhanyawaddy Naval Headquarters towards the AA-controlled Min Dat Taung, Nan Phe Taung and Nga Thaing Chaung villages.

On November 10, the military junta troops launched a massive attack on Thaing Chaung village in Kyaukphyu Township, forcing the AA to retreat and the military junta regained control of Thaing Chaung village and Thaing Chaung dam.

Therefore, the military junta launched an offensive from Thaing Chaung village to Min Pyin village, where the AA had made a strong defense, and while they were preparing to take propaganda photos showing that they had taken control of Min Pyin village, the AA opened fire with heavy weapons, killing about 24 military junta soldiers, according to military sources.

“The military junta is advancing from the 32nd police division and the Dhanyawaddy Navy towards the Thaing Chaung and Min Pyin areas. The AA also stations positions in those areas. Since they have controlled Thaing Chaung, they are attacking Min Pyin in large numbers. So, AA also retreated. While they are preparing to take propaganda photos, the AA is said to have opened fire with heavy weapons, killing more than 20 people,” a Kyaukphyu military source told BBM.

Although the military junta has claimed control of Min Pyin village in its propaganda telegram channels, AA military sources say that battle is still fierce near Min Pyin and Thaing Chaung villages.

“It is not easy for the military junta to enter Min Pyin, but if they do, the AA will attack back,” a Kyaukphyu resident added.

The AA is currently conducting an offensive from Min Pyin and Gawdu hills to penetrate Kyaukphyu township.

In the battle in Kyaukphyu Township, the AA has been using a strategy of retreating from the areas they control and attacking in order to minimize casualties, and it is also said that many members of the military junta have been killed during the battle.

Kyaukphyu Township is the Dhanyawaddy Naval Base, military junta Battalion 34, Infantry Battalion 542, Infantry Battalion 543, No. 32 Police Battalion, Taung Maw Gyi Naval Base, and Ohn Kyun Naval Branch, and is also a township with a strong navy.

The military junta has been bombing Rakhine townships daily since the ceasefire with the TNLA, and is also reinforcing Kyaukphyu and Sittwe townships, where the battle is currently intense.