According to statements from both sides, fierce clashes are taking place between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) near the Bangladesh border in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State.
On September 22, ARSA troops posted videos of the fighting on Facebook and X, claiming that they had captured an AA military base. However, they did not specify the exact location of the base within Maungdaw Township.
The video released by ARSA shows a compound with large buildings and open space, which does not resemble a typical AA base. Additional footage shows more than five bodies of armed men, allegedly AA soldiers, lying on the ground.
The AA has confirmed ongoing battles with ARSA in Maungdaw Township but has not officially acknowledged the loss of any military base.
In an interview with Ayarwaddy News, AA commander General Tun Myat Naing said that ARSA forces have been attacking AA camps around the Taung Pyo area of Maungdaw Township for the past three days. He also claimed that ARSA is receiving support from some officers of the Bangladesh Border Guard, which is putting additional pressure on AA positions.
Western News has reached out to ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha for comment on the clashes with ARSA in Maungdaw, but no response has been received so far.
