AB News – May 4, 2024
In a significant development, the Arakan Army (AA) declared on May 4th that it had seized control of four infantry battalions and SaKaKha 15, the headquarters of a brigade of the State Administration Council (SAC) in Butheedaung.
According to a statement released by the AA, they announced, “As of now, we have successfully captured Infantry Battalion No. 552, 564, 565, 551, and SaKaKha 15, the Headquarters of Military Operations Coordination in Butheedaung.”
The offensive by the AA has targeted various military installations, including Infantry Battalion No. 345, 352, 353, 535, 551, 552, 564, and 565, all under the command of SaKaKha 15, Butheedaung. Additionally, Infantry Battalion No. 233, 234, 263, and 378 under the command of Butheedaung Military Strategy Headquarters have also been seized.
The chronological order of the captured battalions is as follows:
- Khamara (552) – March 25
- Khamara (564) – April 5
- Khamara (565) – April 24
- SaKaKha (15) – May 2
- Khamara (551) – May 3
The AA had laid siege to SaKaKha 15 for a significant period, escalating their offensive efforts from the last week of April. They successfully gained complete control on May 2, 2024, following twelve days of intense battles. The statement further mentions the seizure of munitions, military equipment, and prisoners of war.
AA had been after the soldiers who ran away from Khamara 551 and Sakakha 15, and despite defensive attacks from inside the village of Ten Shau Hkan, AA soldiers managed to neutralize them, inflicting substantial losses on the SAC.
Furthermore, SAC military installations along the Butheedaung-Maungdaw Road, including Tower Taing Hill, 6-Mile Hill, Nakhakha-1 (Kyeekanprun), and Nakhakha-10 (Hla Pho Khaung), have been taken over.
The conflict between the Arakan Army and SAC forces is ongoing, with the former launching an offensive on the Tawhein Hill Strategic Military Installation in Ann Township, as stated in the AA’s announcement.