Military News from Gwa Deemed Propaganda, According to Arakan Army

Fighting continued to escalate this week in Gwa Township, Rakhine State, as the Arakan Army (AA) dismissed Myanmar military claims of territorial control as “propaganda” intended to boost troop morale amid mounting losses.

Local sources confirmed to reporters that clashes intensified particularly around the Gwa-Yangon highway, where the military has struggled to maintain supply lines despite reinforcement attempts. The contested area has become strategically vital as both sides vie for control of transportation routes connecting Rakhine State to central Myanmar.

“The regime’s announcements about securing Gwa Township are purely propaganda designed to lift the spirits of their demoralized troops,” said an AA spokesperson in a statement released Tuesday. “The reality on the ground shows our forces have established effective control across multiple sectors of the township.”

Military tensions have surged in Rakhine State since the AA launched a coordinated offensive in November 2023, part of a wider uprising against the junta that seized power in the February 2021 coup. The military council, formally known as the State Administration Council, has faced unprecedented challenges maintaining territorial control across multiple regions simultaneously.

Independent security analysts confirm that the AA has made significant territorial gains across Rakhine State in recent months. The ethnic armed organization now administers large portions of the state, establishing parallel governance structures in areas under its control.

“What we’re witnessing is a fundamental shift in the power dynamics of western Myanmar,” said Min Zaw Oo, a regional security expert with the Myanmar Peace Institute. “The military is increasingly concentrated in defensive positions around major towns and strategic installations, while rural areas have largely fallen under AA influence.”

Civilian casualties have mounted amid the fighting. Local humanitarian organizations report over 200,000 people have been displaced across Rakhine State since fighting intensified last year. Access to food, medicine, and shelter remains critically limited in conflict-affected areas.

In Gwa Township specifically, residents described deteriorating conditions as military forces have implemented movement restrictions and communication blackouts. Several villages near contested areas have been completely evacuated.

“We cannot move freely to get food or medicine,” said a displaced resident from Gwa who fled to Thandwe Township last week. “The military suspects everyone of supporting the AA and treats civilians like enemies.”

The conflict has severely impacted regional commerce, particularly affecting the fishing industry that many coastal communities depend on. Fishermen report being unable to access traditional waters due to security concerns and military restrictions.

Economic analysts note that the ongoing conflict has effectively isolated much of Rakhine State from national supply chains. Market prices for essential goods have increased by approximately 60% since fighting intensified, according to local monitoring groups.

Myanmar’s military has responded to battlefield setbacks with increased airstrikes and artillery bombardments in civilian-populated areas, tactics that human rights organizations have condemned as potential war crimes.

“The pattern of indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure follows a concerning trend we’ve documented across conflict zones in Myanmar,” said Manny Maung, a researcher with Human Rights Watch. “These tactics appear designed to terrorize civilian populations rather than achieve specific military objectives.”

The information war has become increasingly significant as both sides attempt to shape perceptions of the conflict. The military regularly broadcasts claims of territorial control and battlefield victories through state media, while the AA counters these narratives through online platforms and sympathetic media outlets.

Internet access remains heavily restricted across much of Rakhine State, limiting independent verification of claims from either side. Journalists attempting to cover the conflict face significant risks, with several reporters detained by military authorities in recent months.

As fighting continues, diplomatic efforts to address the broader Myanmar crisis have stalled. ASEAN’s five-point consensus plan has failed to generate meaningful progress, while China has increasingly positioned itself as a mediator between ethnic armed organizations and the military regime, particularly along its border regions.

Analysts predict that without significant external intervention or internal political shifts, the conflict in Rakhine State is likely to persist through 2024, continuing to devastate local communities caught between opposing forces.