Battles Intensify on Nat Chaung Front, Heavy Casualties on Military Side

Battles continue to intensify between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council forces in the border areas of Rakhine and Magway states, and near the Nat Chaung strategic area, it has been learned. The AA blocked and attacked a military column that was reinforcing the Nat Chaung base on August 31 near the old road of Pazee village with heavy weapons and drones, resulting in numerous casualties on the military side. "The advancing column in Pazee was attacked with all kinds of weapons, large and small. They were also attacked with drones, causing many deaths and injuries," a source told the Irrawaddy Times. Battles continued in the area until September 2, with the military conducting airstrikes and transporting wounded and deceased soldiers to the Songkon Artillery base, it was learned. On August 16 and 19, military columns attempting to advance on Nat Chaung were attacked, losing some bases in Pazee and Gote Gyi, and approximately 100 soldiers were lost on the military side, it was learned. Fighting is also intensifying on the Yoe Taung Kyaw road section connecting the Thafanyoung area on the western side of Myay Hton Township to Mae-Ahm Ta Line Mountain. The military has reinforced its forces with military vehicles from the Myay Hton side and, in conjunction with existing forces, is launching an offensive towards Yoe Taung from the Thafanyoung and Prau villages.