Fighting between Arakan Army and military spreads to Sittwe; AA seizes regime outpost in Ayeyarwady Region

Residents in the Arakan State capital of Sittwe told DVB that sporadic fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military has occurred in villages around the Regional Operations Command headquarters in Sittwe Township since Monday. The military is defending Sittwe as it has yet to lose control of a state or region capital to resistance forces.

Residents reported that the No. 12 Police Battalion opened fire with artillery in retaliation to gunfire from the AA. “Everything is normal in the town but people in remote areas are concerned about this sporadic fire,” a Sittwe resident told DVB. The last time fighting between AA and the military spread to Sittwe was Jan. 16-18. This is when both sides reportedly used snipers, drones, and heavy weapons.