AA commandos capture two outposts at Sittwe Regional Command Headquarters

Narinjara, January 10, 2026

The commandos of the Arakan Army (AA) executed an assault and took control of two outposts of the Regional Command Headquarters, referred to locally as Dakasa, in Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine State.

The outposts, which are the largest military defense bases of the junta forces, were captured in the afternoon of January 9.

A source close to the AA stated that they captured more than 30 soldiers, along with several small weapons, and the bodies of members of the military junta.

“The commandos took the lead in capturing them. There were many casualties on the junta's side. The surviving soldiers withdrew due to heavy casualties. The AA apprehended more than 30 soldiers, including those who fled with injuries. They also confiscated several firearms," he stated.

According to Narinjara’s investigation, a total of 36 soldiers, including those who were injured, have been taken captive.

The two outposts house more than 300 fighters, and many soldiers were killed during the AA assault, while the surviving soldiers retreated to Dakasa, the regional military command headquarters.

While it is confirmed that the two outposts have been taken, the exact number of soldiers captured remains unverified, as the Arakan Army has not issued an official statement.

The two captured outposts include one that is situated 2.5 miles from the Dakasa headquarters and another that is located over 3 miles away.

The military junta has firmly established a post close to Tawkan village, which serves as the gateway to the Dakasa headquarters in Sittwe Township, as well as another post in front of Gangaw Kyun village, with a total of more than 300 soldiers across both locations.

The military source reported that almost 400 soldiers have been deployed. The offensive began in early January, and the two camps were ultimately seized on January 9, after the soldiers fled in droves.

Sittwe is one of the last three towns in Rakhine State that the Arakan Army (AA) has yet to capture. The other two are Kyaukphyu and Manaung.

The Arakan Army (AA) is now said to be assaulting not only Sittwe, the largest city in Rakhine State, but also Kyaukphyu, which hosts major Chinese investments and generates over $1 billion in foreign exchange annually.