News Desk :
The Arakan Army (AA) pressed forward with its offensive in Rakhine State, advancing to Gwa Township, where they launched attacks on junta forces positioned at a checkpoint near a bridge in Chinkwin village, Kyeintali sub-township.
Around 70 junta soldiers and militia members were positioned at the checkpoint, located 48km south of Thandwe town and 40km from Gwa town, Irrawaddy reported.
Residents reported that the regime forces had previously blown up the bridge twice in July to slow the AA’s advance.
On Friday, junta troops retreated from the Chinkwin checkpoint, regrouping with other forces at a bridge 9km away.
In response, the regime launched at least three airstrikes in the area on Saturday. The extent of civilian casualties remains unclear.
That same day, the AA also launched rocket attacks on junta troops stationed at a hilltop monastery in Kyeintali town, resulting in casualties.
Residents reported that troops at this location had been firing indiscriminately on nearby villages.
Witnesses indicated that numerous junta soldiers were killed in the attack, with one resident noting that half of the monastery collapsed.
Elsewhere, gunfire was reported near Thapan Kwin village at the entrance to Kyeintali town on Saturday.