Fighting Continues Near Sittwe's Shwe Min Gan, Air Strikes Hit Min Chaung Bridge Area

Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray)

Narinjara, September 16, 2026

Clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar junta military are intensifying along the creek near the Shwe Min Gan naval base. Following an AA assault on a military outpost in Ah Myint Kyunt village, the junta responded with heavy aerial bombardments yesterday evening, local sources reported.

"The fighting has reached the outskirts of Yae Yoe Pyin village, where junta troops are stationed," a local military source stated. "Clashes are now occurring at the closest point yet to the Shwe Min Gan naval base, even as the junta mounts a heavy defense by land, sea, and air."

Sources confirmed the two sides are actively engaged around Yae Yoe Pyin village in Ponnagyun Township, which sits in close proximity to the junta's Shwe Min Gan naval base.

"Fighting is concentrated between Yae Yoe Pyin and Sa Pot Taung villages, as well as around Wabo village," the source added. "The junta is deploying heavy artillery, drones, and fighter jets daily."

The clash in Ah Myint Kyunt village escalated after the AA launched drone strikes against junta forces stationed at a local monastery. The military retaliated with heavy weapons, triggering loud explosions and causing reported casualties among the junta troops.

On September 15, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a junta fighter jet carried out air strikes near the Min Chaung Bridge close to Ah Myint Kyunt village. Another local source reported that clashes between the AA and junta forces have also spread toward the Chee Lay Pin area in Sittwe Township.

"The fighting continued today. A military column is advancing toward Chee Lay Pin village, and clashes broke out right between Kyee Lay Pin and Ah Myint Kyunt," the source said.

The junta launched Operation 4926 on September 4, deploying five military columns against AA-controlled areas in Ponnagyun Township.

Intense fighting has raged continuously for the past 11 days. Observers note that while the fighting pauses intermittently, Ponnagyun remains the primary battleground for the Myanmar military in Rakhine State.

In a military review broadcast on September 14, CDM Captain Zin Yaw stated that junta forces are attempting to capture the Kun Taung area in Ponnagyun Towsnhip after establishing a firm foothold in Ah Myint Kyunt village and near the Min Chaung Bridge in Sittwe Township.

He further analyzed that the recent air strikes on Wabo village suggest the Arakan Army is positioning itself to launch an offensive toward Kankaw Kyun village.

"The Arakan Army's tactical maneuvers have been highly effective, pushing the military's conventional strategies to a point where their defenses may soon break," Captain Zin Yaw remarked.

Image Caption: Ponnagyun Township, December 3, 2023: Heavy gunfire and arson destruction after junta forces entered Yae Yoe Pyin village.