Military News Updates – December 29, 2024 Evening
๐ฉ๐ฉ 1. Arakan Army Claims Full Control of Gwa Town
December 29
Reports are emerging that the Arakan Army (AA) has gained full control of Gwa Town after engaging in combat with the remaining junta battalion, LIB-562.
According to sources, the final battle occurred on the evening of December 28, when AA successfully took over LIB-562’s position. Local military news sources confirmed that Gwa Town is now under AA’s complete control.
The junta’s forces had attempted airstrikes for three consecutive days to retain control of the town. Even after the loss of Gwa Town on the evening of December 28, airstrikes reportedly continued.
Sources indicate that some soldiers from LIB-562, along with reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region, fled during the battle. Around 40 junta troops from LIB-562 have been captured.
Gwa Town had been defended by two battalions, LIB-562 and LIB-563. AA launched its offensive campaign in mid-December and quickly captured LIB-563 within days. On December 21, AA announced that it was nearing the final stages of capturing Gwa Town entirely.
While widespread reports suggest that AA has now secured full control of Gwa, the Arakan Army had yet to officially confirm this claim as of 11:00 AM on December 29.
If AA has indeed captured Gwa, this would mean they control 14 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State. Only Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung Townships remain under junta control.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 2. Resistance Forces Ambush Junta Troops Returning from Village Raids in Natmauk
December 29
Resistance forces launched an ambush on a junta column of around 60 troops returning from a raid in Natmauk Township, Magway Region. The ambush resulted in 15 junta soldiers, including an officer, being killed, according to the BPLA (Bithanoe People’s Defense Force) Eastern Command.
The junta troops had reportedly looted property and burned down civilian homes during their raid. On December 28, they were ambushed near Tamone Kone Gyi village’s southern railway crossing, where resistance forces detonated two mines. The attack resulted in heavy casualties, with 15 soldiers killed and many others injured.
The operation was carried out by a coalition of resistance groups, including the White Tiger Unit (B05), the Crimson Rope Unit (B07), Natmauk-PDF, Aung San's Land, the Galon Defense Force, the Five Fish Guerrilla Unit, and Unit 902.
The BPLA reiterated its commitment to eradicating the military dictatorship and urged civilians to join their efforts.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 3. Drone Strike Kills 5 Junta Soldiers at Zardee Monastery in Yebyu Township
December 29
The Tavoy People’s Liberation Force (TPLF) announced that a drone strike at Zardee Monastery in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, killed 5 junta soldiers stationed there. The attack occurred on December 21 and was officially announced on December 28.
During the strike, 5 junta soldiers were killed, and at least 6 others were injured.
TPLF warned civilians to avoid areas occupied by junta forces and emphasized its determination to continue such operations. The attack was carried out by the TPLF, its drone team, and allied groups, including the Ba Htoo Army, Yebyu-PDF, and the Zin Yaw Unit.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 4. Five Junta Soldiers Injured in Ambush Near Yesagyo Police Station
December 29
The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Yesagyo Township, Magway Region, attacked a group of 15 junta soldiers conducting a patrol near the Yesagyo Police Station. The ambush, which occurred at 9:00 AM on December 28, left 5 soldiers seriously injured, according to the local PDF.
The PDF forces launched the attack near a multi-purpose farm, but they were unable to seize weapons due to reinforcements from nearby junta units and Yesagyo Police Station. To ensure their safety, the PDF troops withdrew from the area without collecting weapons.
In a separate incident on the same day at 5:00 AM, junta forces raided Thar Si Village in Yesagyo Township. Civilians were forced to flee, and soldiers reportedly used residents as human shields while torching two homes.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 5. Drone Attack on Myawaddy Police Station Injures Four
December 29
An unknown armed group carried out a drone strike on Myawaddy Police Station in Karen State on the evening of December 28, injuring 4 individuals, including 3 police officers and one family member.
The incident occurred at 7:30 PM, according to reports from Myawaddy-Mae Sot Media. The injured were taken to Myawaddy Hospital for treatment.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of 11:00 AM on December 29.
Meanwhile, Cobra Column Commander Bo Saw Kaw issued a warning on December 28 via social media, cautioning Myawaddy police and officials to cease arrests and extortion of civilians or face retaliation. Saw Kaw’s post read:
"If you do not stop threatening and extorting civilians, you will feel the venom of the cobra."
This is not the first drone attack on Myawaddy Police Station. On September 3, 2023, the station was targeted by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied groups, resulting in 5 deaths, including the Myawaddy District Administrator U Soe Tint, and 12 injuries.
This military news report was compiled by Radio NUG correspondent Ko Khant.
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