Provisional government forces, facing defeat against AA, resort to bombing civilians

The provisional government forces, while engaging in fierce ground battles with the Arakan Army (AA) by deploying land, naval, and air units, are suffering heavy casualties and are in a losing military position. As a result, they have been continuously carrying out group bombings targeting civilians from the air. It is known that the military, around 9 PM on August 4th, used up to six jet fighter aircraft to launch a series of bombing attacks with numerous bombs on the Maungdaw Township area in Rakhine State, which is under AA control. "Last night, four fighter jets from Naypyidaw, two fighter jets from Tate U, and two Y12 aircraft from Magway flew around Maungdaw and dropped bombs," a source told the Irrawaddy Times. Furthermore, bombs also fell inside the former base of the military's Light Infantry Battalion No. 540. Those familiar with the local situation told the Irrawaddy Times that there is a possibility of military personnel being harmed as prisoners of war are held at that location. Currently, the provisional government forces are attempting to launch simultaneous offensives in areas bordering Rakhine, including Magway Region, Bago Region, Ayeyarwady Region, and Chin State (Southern). Similarly, the military is continuously carrying out group bombings from the air and shelling with heavy weapons from warships in the sea, day and night, on towns and villages inhabited by civilians, as well as hospitals, schools, and religious buildings in areas controlled by the AA, such as Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Thandwe, Gwa, Kyaukseik, Wethaneni (Pauktaw), and the outskirts of Ponnagyun-Sittwe. Battles are continuing fiercely in all areas where ground offensives are being attempted, and due to the provisional government forces' inability to gain an advantage and their heavy casualties, they are increasingly relying on and accelerating airstrikes, which are their sole strength, according to the AA. This tactic of excessive airstrikes is being observed not only in areas where battles are occurring with the AA but also in other conflict zones across Myanmar. Photo: AA Info Desk, Social Media