The Arakan Army (AA) seized and took control of the Border Guard Force (BGF) military-aligned militia’s Lateya base in Rakhine State’s northern Maungdaw Township, on 10 October.

The attack happened at 4:00 a.m. and there was fierce fighting between the two sides, according to Khaing Thu Kha, an AA spokesperson who spoke to Mizzima about the incident.

“After a fierce battle at about 4:00 a.m. we successfully took control of the Lateya base, but we don’t have any further follow-up information”, said Khaing Thu Kha.

He added that several junta soldiers were injured and some were detained by the AA, though the exact number of casualties and detainees is unknown. The AA also seized heavy artillery guns and military equipment in the attack.

After the AA took control of the base BGF forces stationed at the nearby No. 7 BGF base in Maungdaw District’s Kyine Chaung Township fired heavy artillery at Lateya base and Lateya Village. Airstrikes were also launched against the base and village, according to Khaing Thu Kha.

Unfortunately, Silas Zawtin a 37-year-old Rohingya man from Lateya, was killed by a junta artillery shell in the junta’s retaliatory attacks, according to Lateya villagers. 

One said: “At around 4:00 a.m. the AA attacked and took control of Lateya base. The junta army then fired heavy artillery and two fighter jets launched airstrikes on the base and Lateya Village. As a result a Rohingya man was hit in the head and died.”

Another villager said: “Currently, the Rohingya who remain in Lateya Village are very worried because of the conflict. We are hiding in our house. There is no place to go and We are worried about having enough to eat and drink.”

There are about 40 houses and more than 100 people living in Lateya village, according to locals.