Clashes intensify at three locations near Sittwe ROC
DMG Newsroom
19 October 2026, Sittwe
Fierce fighting has erupted between the military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) at three locations near the Regional Operations Command (ROC) in Sittwe, the junta’s last remaining military headquarters in Arakan State.
Clashes are taking place near Wahbo, Tawkan and Kyarmathauk villages, about three miles from the ROC headquarters; around Shwe Min Gan Naval Base and the nearby villages of Khamaungdaw and Yeyoepyin; and near Pardaleik and Ngatauktet villages.
A military source confirmed that intense ground fighting continued at all three locations on the morning of October 19.
“Fighting occurs daily in Sittwe, and active clashes broke out again this morning,” the military source said. “Around Shwe Min Gan Naval Base, the military junta is relying heavily on naval gunfire support to maintain its operations.”
While the military junta is attempting amphibious landings on Ngapyi Island in Werathani Township, the Arakan Army is launching offensives against junta outposts and frontline positions near the Sittwe ROC headquarters.
The junta is continuing to reinforce its frontline defensive positions around the ROC headquarters while carrying out sustained airstrikes and heavy artillery attacks.
In Werathani Township, the military junta renewed its attempts to land troops on Ngapyi Island on October 18, triggering intense fighting on the island.
“The Arakan Army maintains control over most of Ngapyi Island,” another military source said. “Junta troops remain present on parts of the island, and clearance operations are ongoing. The fighting is intense because the junta is attempting to land troops by sea to reinforce its positions.”
On October 18, Arakan Army forces fired heavy artillery at a junta naval vessel attempting to land troops on Ngapyi Island, leaving the vessel heavily damaged and ablaze.
The military junta has been conducting offensive operations on Ngapyi Island since October 7. Junta forces currently occupy Alel Village, while the Arakan Army controls Ywama and Thayettaw villages.
Local residents reported that junta jet fighters carried out airstrikes near Wahbo and Kuntaung villages on the evening of October 18.
“We hear heavy artillery fire and airstrikes from the direction of Sittwe every single day,” said a male resident of Ponnagyun Township. “Yesterday evening, jet fighters bombed areas along the border of Sittwe Township. The fighting is exceptionally fierce.”
On September 4, the military junta launched a three-column offensive, code named Operation 4926, across Ponnagyun Township. However, resistance and counteroffensives by the Arakan Army forced junta troops to retreat towards Sittwe Township, prompting the junta to shift its offensive focus to Werathani Township.
In an attempt to retake lost territory across Arakan State, the military junta is currently conducting offensives on multiple fronts, including Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships, Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions, and southern Chin State.
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