Myanmar's military is withdrawing troops from northern Rakhine state as it faces setbacks in its conflict against the Arakan Army (AA).
"The junta’s military is sure to lose if they are defending against us, so it is withdrawing by burning down military outposts and hilltop bases in the townships we are attempting to seize,” reported The Irrawaddy, citing a statement issued by the Arakan Army on Sunday (18 February).
The statement revealed that junta troops destroyed arms, ammunition, and artillery inside Point 402 and 408 hilltop outposts in Myebon around 5:30 pm on the previous day. They salvaged only the weapons they could carry from the outposts, located approximately 3 kilometers northwest of Hin Kha Raw village
Helicopters were deployed to transport the troops from the two outposts in northern Rakhine to the junta’s Western Command in Ann Township, southern Rakhine.
The AA has declared its commitment to continue attacking all junta bases and outposts in the state until their surrender.
Despite the junta's actions, the Arakan Army has seized more than 170 junta bases and outposts since November 13. Additionally, it has taken control of six towns in Rakhine State—Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Taungpyoletwe, and Myebon—and one in Chin State, Paletwa.
