Arakan Army captures four junta outposts on Sittwe-Ponnagyun front

Arakan Army troops pictured following the capture of Ponnagyun Town. Photo: AA Info Desk

DMG Newsroom

18 September 2026, Sittwe

Junta forces participating in a military offensive on the Sittwe front are suffering heavy casualties and retreating under a coordinated counteroffensive by the Arakan Army, according to military sources.

Clashes along the Sittwe front remain intense, with the Arakan Army capturing four junta outpost positions on the Sittwe side in recent days.

"There are ongoing offensive operations on the ground," a military source said. "The Arakan Army counteroffensive has gained strong momentum thanks to highly accurate drone, artillery, and sniper support."

During counteroffensive actions on September 15 and 16, Arakan Army troops seized four outposts along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border, including positions near Minchaung Bridge, as well as Khamaungtaw and Aungmyaygon villages near Shwe Min Gan naval station.

Military sources noted that the Arakan Army's tactical shift to a counteroffensive forced junta troops to abandon several bases, resulting in severe losses that included officer-level personnel.

On September 4, the military regime launched an offensive toward Ponnagyun Township using five main columns supported by naval and air force firepower. However, the initial vanguard suffered a decisive defeat under the Arakan Army's counteroffensive.

Following operational failures and base losses, junta forces have conducted near-daily heavy airstrikes along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border.

"Junta jet fighters dropped bombs near Kuntaung Village again this morning," a local Ponnagyun resident said. "Due to the bombardment, villagers between Sittwe and Ponnagyun are forced to flee to safer areas every day."

The ongoing clashes have forced thousands of local residents from Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships near the Sittwe border to flee their homes once again, creating an urgent need for emergency humanitarian aid.

The military regime's operation in Arakan State, codenamed ‘Operation 4926’, marks the first major military campaign launched under General Ye Win Oo following his appointment as commander-in-chief of defence services.