Intense Fighting Near Sittwe-Ponnagyun Border; Junta Forces Deploy Air Support

Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray)

Narinjara, September 26, 2024

Intense fighting has resumed this morning between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar military junta forces along the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships in Rakhine (Arakan) State.

Ground clashes had temporarily paused for about four days after junta forces suffered heavy casualties during an offensive launched on September 21. However, hostilities intensified once again this morning. Local sources report that the military is providing continuous air support, deploying at least four aircraft, including jet fighters and Y-12 transport planes, to conduct morning bombing raids.

The fighting is particularly fierce around the villages of Yae Yo Pyin and War Bo, with the military launching retaliatory airstrikes on these communities and surrounding areas.

"From what we hear, intense fighting is taking place in the Taw Kan and War Bo areas," a Sittwe resident said. "Since there are no civilians left in those areas now, we cannot verify the exact situation. However, heavy gunfire can be heard from here in the Shwe Min Gan area."

Unverified local reports indicate that the AA has captured at least four military outposts in Sittwe Township during the current wave of fighting, seizing weapons and casualties in the process. Furthermore, the AA's counter-offensive has reportedly advanced to within two miles of the Regional Operations Command (ROC) headquarters in Sittwe.

Additionally, the area around Pauktaw (Weera Thani) is facing relentless assaults, including jet fighter airstrikes, drone attacks, and heavy artillery fire from naval vessels.

Shortly after 11:00 a.m. today, the military junta's air force conducted a bombing raid on Pauktaw using a Y-12 aircraft. Inquiries are ongoing to determine if there were any civilian casualties.

The military council launched this offensive on September 4 under the codename "Operation 4926," advancing from Sittwe into the southern parts of Ponnagyun Township, a territory controlled by the Arakan Army. Fierce clashes ensued for over ten days.

The Arakan Army subsequently issued two separate announcements on September 16 and September 20, detailing significant numbers of prisoners of war and weapons captured on the Sittwe front line.

Caption: AA fighters engaged in combat at a frontline location.