[Tee tiong huat]

Myanmar Junta Frantically Bolsters Defenses Near Ayeyarwady Beach Town. The junta is deploying large numbers of troops to Ayeyarwady Region’s beach resort areas in an attempt to establish defensive lines following Arakan Army (AA)’s recent move into Shwe Thaung Yan on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, according to residents and sources close to the regime’s military.

Combined forces of the AA and local resistance groups in Ayeyarwady Region launched attacks on junta soldiers and police stationed in Magyizin Village in Shwe Thaung Yan earlier this month. Clashes were reported in Magyizin, Kalarchaung, Wat Thay and Bomie villages until Jan. 10. Since then, there has been no further fighting, according to local residents