After capturing key locations from the State Administration Council (SAC), the Arakan Army (AA) has stated it now retains complete control over Peletwa Township situated in southern Chin State.
The turning point came when AA took the Namada strategic hilltop camp in mid-January, the last regime-held camp in the township. Before this, the Arakanese armed group, which is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has taken a number of SAC positions in southern Chin State and Arakan State, after breaking its ceasefire in both states.
AA started a major offensive against SAC in southern Chin State last November. The Chin group Maraland Defense Force (MDF) has supported AA during attacks against SAC troops in Paletwa Township. AA and MDF captured other vital camps called Tarawaing, Num Bu, Meewa, Khan Hka, Shinletwa, and the Infantry Battalion 289 headquarters in Paletwa town.
AA captured Meewa at the border between Kyauktaw township of Arakan State, and Khan Hka camps on January 13, a day before taking the Namada camp. The armed group seized many weapons and ammunition at Khan Hka.
On Sunday, photos posted on social media depicted soldiers hoisting the AA flag in front of several governmental offices, the police station, the fire station and at the Burma army’s Union Solidarity and Development Party office in Paletwa town.
AA began operations on eight regime camps, including the ones previously indicated in Paletwa Township on January 1. The group has captured over 20 military camps, outposts, and police stations in the area since it started fighting in the region after the 1027 Operation began on October 27.