AA seizes three guard outposts defending junta weapons factory on Bago-Arakan border

Heavy fighting erupted near Directorate of Defence Industry (DDI) 16, a junta-run weapons factory in Padaung Township, western Bago Region, after the Arakan Army (AA) captured three key defensive guard outposts protecting the facility, according to local resistance sources.

The AA and allied resistance forces, advancing into Bago Region from Taungup Township in Arakan (Rakhine) State, have been attacking junta positions on Point-666 and Point-506 hills, where the factory's guard outposts are located. On June 21, they also seized three defensive positions around Point-500 Hill.

"The junta started sending columns from Mathon and Nyaungchayhtauk villages in the last week of May to launch a counteroffensive. Their goal was to protect the weapons factory. But the AA intercepted those columns before they even got close. Now the AA is steadily closing in on the factory, so the ground fighting has become extremely intense. The junta has also stepped up its airstrikes. At this point, the AA has already taken control of the guard outposts on Point-500 Hill, but the fighting is still far from over," a military analyst based in Bago Region’s Pyay City told NMG.

According to resistance sources, AA-led coalition forces ambushed junta columns advancing from Point-500 Hill on June 20 and 21. Although junta troops attempted to hold their positions with air support and drone strikes, they were ultimately forced to abandon the outposts.

Resistance sources also said they recovered numerous bodies of junta personnel, along with a large cache of weapons and ammunition, during the fighting.

As clashes spread deeper into Padaung Township, locals fled to safer areas amid growing security concerns.

"We hear artillery and fighter jets day and night. Every minute we're wondering when the next bomb will hit our village. Now that the fighting has reached the area around the weapons factory, people have fled into nearby forests and hills. Roads are blocked too, so getting anywhere has become incredibly difficult," a woman from Padaung Township said.

Heavy fighting between the AA and the junta is continuing around Nyaungkyoe Village in Padaung Township. Fresh clashes have also broken out near Kamyaing Village, the site of another junta weapons factory, DDI 5.

AA and allied resistance forces have also taken control of the Nyaungkyoe military base and several guard outposts near Directorate of DDI 6, another junta weapons factory in Padaung Township. Some junta troops have reportedly surrendered to the AA.

The AA has been advancing into Bago Region from southern Arakan State via the Taungup–Okeshitpin Road, targeting strategically important junta weapons factories built around Okeshitpin and along the Pathein–Monywa Road as part of its ongoing offensive.