Military News Updates – February 19, 2025 Morning
๐ฉ๐ฉ 1. Intense Fighting in Sittwe as AA Captures Four Military Junta Bases in Magway and Bago Regions
February 19
Radio NUG
Fighting has intensified in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, as the Arakan Army (AA) continues its offensive to seize control of the city, with the military junta retaliating through airstrikes, including jet fighter bombings, according to Western News.
The battle for Sittwe, which began on February 7, has escalated daily, with AA's sniper and lightning-strike attacks causing significant casualties among junta troops, reportedly numbering in the hundreds.
In response, the junta launched heavy airstrikes, dropping numerous bombs on Sittwe, areas near A Myint Kyun, and Thae Khon village in Pauk Taw Township.
To prevent AA's advance into Sittwe, the junta demolished the Min Chaung Bridge on the Yangon-Sittwe highway using landmines. Additionally, it has fortified its defenses around the city with sandbag bunkers, landmines, and barbed wire barriers.
Meanwhile, the AA and allied forces seized Ma Htone Base, Upper Tone Gyi, and Lower Tone Gyi bases in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region, on February 16. Additionally, they captured the Pankan Kwe base on the U Shit Pin-Taung Kote road in Bago Region in recent days.
During these battles, the AA also captured junta soldiers and a significant amount of weapons and ammunition.
Following its successful capture of junta bases along the Rakhine Yoma range, the AA, in coordination with local defense forces, has expanded its offensive into junta-held areas in Magway, Bago, and Ayeyarwady Regions.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 2. KIA Captures Multiple Military Bases in Bhamo, Including Artillery Battalions and an Air Force Base
February 18
Radio NUG
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has launched an offensive to fully seize control of Bhamo, including the No. 21 Military Operations Command (MOC-21), capturing several key military installations, according to the KIA's information department.
As of February 17, KIA forces successfully overran:
- Artillery Battalion 366,
- Kantaw Military Training School,
- Artillery Battalion 7006, and
- The Air Force Base in Bhamo.
Fierce clashes are ongoing at MOC-21, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 236, and Artillery Battalion 366.
On February 17, the KIA shot down a junta drone using a KA 2.5 light weapon. The following morning, on February 18, junta forces retaliated with 11 airstrikes.
In Inn Daw Township, the KIA and its Revolutionary Joint Forces have seized most of the territory, while the junta continues its aerial bombardments using fighter jets and drones. Meanwhile, the revolutionary forces are striving for full control of Inn Daw Town.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 3. KNLA-Led Coalition Attacks Kha Ma Ya-207 Artillery Positions and Outposts
February 18
Radio NUG
A coalition of revolutionary forces, led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), along with Kawthoolei People's Defense Force (Pa Ka Pha), Wah People's Defense Force (Pa Ka Pha), and Inn Ta Kaw Pa Ka Pha, launched a coordinated airstrike on Kha Ma Ya-207’s artillery positions and outposts on February 18 at 11:35 AM.
The attack was carried out using:
- 60mm mortars,
- Multi-Drones, and
- Fixed-Wing Drones.
The junta responded with random artillery shelling, RPG fire, and Multi-Drone strikes, but the revolutionary forces suffered no casualties and successfully withdrew.
Ground reports indicate that two junta ambulances were seen transporting injured soldiers from Kha Ma Ya-207’s base following the attack.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 4. Shooting Attack on Three Police Officers Near Alotawpyae Pagoda in Bagan Leaves Two Dead, One Escapes
February 18
Radio NUG
On the morning of February 18, at around 9 AM, revolutionary forces launched an attack on three police officers riding motorcycles near Alotawpyae Pagoda in Bagan, Nyaung-U Township. According to local reports, two police officers were shot dead on the spot, while a deputy police officer managed to escape.
Deputy Police Officer Wawa Htun and his team from the Bagan Police Station were traveling to Nyaung-U Township Court for security duties when they came under attack. Wawa Htun was riding a separate motorcycle, while Police Corporal Khin Maung Myint and Police Constable Ri Wei Oo were riding together on another.
As they passed near Alotawpyae Pagoda on Anawrahta Road, in Ward No. 7, Wekgyi Inn Ward, three armed men in a vehicle opened fire on them. Police Corporal Khin Maung Myint and Police Constable Ri Wei Oo sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot, while Deputy Police Officer Wawa Htun managed to flee the scene.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 5. Military Attacks in Chaung-U, Nganzun, and Mattara Townships Kill Two Civilians and Injure Others
February 18
Radio NUG
At approximately 5 PM on February 18, the terrorist military regime indiscriminately fired heavy artillery into civilian areas, resulting in casualties, according to Chaung-U Revolution News.
The artillery shelling from Myapulay Checkpoint in Chaung-U Township struck Kyi Kone Village, instantly killing two innocent civilians. Additionally, a five-year-old child, an adult man, and an adult woman sustained injuries.
Earlier, at around 11 AM, the junta conducted five airstrikes using an MI-35 helicopter near Myaung Thit Village in the eastern part of Mattara Township.
Similarly, at around 4 PM on February 17, in Nganzun Township, the military carried out an airstrike on Kywe Zain Village, dropping seven bombs. One civilian lost a leg due to the blast, while residential homes and religious buildings were severely damaged.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 6. Five Junta Soldiers Defect and Eight Flee in Karenni Region
February 19
Radio NUG
The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) Battalion (3) successfully took in five defectors and eight fleeing soldiers from the junta's forces in February 2025, ensuring their safety at designated centers, according to KNDF.
As clashes continue daily between junta troops and resistance forces in Moebye and along the Karenni-Shan border, an increasing number of junta soldiers are abandoning their positions and seeking refuge with revolutionary forces.
The junta, facing manpower shortages, has resorted to forcibly conscripting civilians and deploying them to frontlines. Many of these conscripts include underage children, according to accounts from those who have fled.
Young people are urged to take precautions to avoid forced conscription and, if forcibly drafted and sent to the frontlines, to connect with nearby revolutionary forces for safe defection.
This military report was provided by Radio NUG correspondents Min Thihan, Min Sitt Thway, and Khur Shel.
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