In Gwa District, Military Council Troops Retreat Amid Battle with Arakan Army
Border News Agency
Gwa, November 15 – In Gwa district, where the Arakan Army (AA) has been intensively fighting to capture the area, military council troops have suffered heavy casualties and are retreating, according to local sources. On November 15, locals reported that troops from the military council were retreating after sustaining many deaths and injuries in the ongoing battle.
The battlefronts are located along the Kyain Ta Lee-Gwa road, and also near the Ye Taung area. The local population has stated that military council forces are retreating from several positions, including those near the Sap Thwa village and from the area surrounding the Gwa town. From there, some military forces fled towards the Pain Nae Kone village, and others retreated toward the Kan Tha Ya village from the Shwe Oo Kwin area.
"Aviation support is being provided by the military, but they’re still suffering casualties," said one local to Border News Agency. "As soon as the troops leave their positions, they have to retreat further. Even with air support, they are retreating, and they can’t hold the area. They will have to flee towards Gwa soon."
The Arakan Army has been attacking from three different points in Gwa district, aiming for complete encirclement. The military council forces, despite their efforts at defense, are suffering significant casualties, which has forced them to retreat, the locals explained.
The Sap Thwa village is located 23 miles from Gwa town, while the road to Nga Than Choung is 55 miles away. Locals fear that once the Arakan Army fully takes control of Gwa, they may push further into the Ayeyawady region. In preparation for a possible advance, military council forces have been consolidating defensive positions.
In an effort to maintain control over Gwa district, the military council has been reinforcing its troops with more weapons and ammunition. However, many ground soldiers appear unwilling to continue fighting and are retreating. One local source mentioned that the military has been deploying trucks and armored vehicles, but soldiers are refusing to fight. "The military is bringing heavy trucks and armored vehicles, but each time they attack, the soldiers just flee," said a local, adding, "Gwa will soon fall, and we’ll have to clear out when the military arrives."
In Gwa town and surrounding areas, the 562nd and 563rd Infantry Battalions have been deployed, but the continued heavy casualties among military council forces have led to the need for reinforcements from nearby Ayeyawady-based military councils, sources say.
The intense fighting in Gwa district has prompted the military to increase its troop presence across Ayeyawady Division, with more soldiers being stationed in strategic locations. Meanwhile, ethnic Rakhine civilians are reportedly being detained and subjected to security checks.
Gwa district shares borders with several regions: to the east with Ayeyawady Division, Ingepura, and Raekyi towns; to the south with the Thabaung District of Ayeyawady; and to the north with the Than Dwe District, with the Bay of Bengal to the west.
As such, military forces in Ayeyawady Division, particularly in the southern part, have been reinforcing their presence in anticipation of further fighting. Military councils have also been increasing security measures around coastal areas like the Hainggyi Island, as well as deploying naval forces from the Putaung-based Waterborne Military Division and other significant naval artillery units.