Military Situation Deteriorates for Junta Amidst Clashes in Sittwe Township

Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray)

Narinjara, 12 October 2026

The military situation for the Myanmar junta has become dire amidst ongoing clashes with the Arakan Army (AA) in Sittwe Township, military observers told Narinjara on October 12, 2026.

Intensified fighting has broken out on Ngapyi Kyunt Island since October 7. Despite deploying thousands of ground troops and launching coordinated air and naval strikes, junta forces have failed to contain the AA.

According to conflict analysts, the military is suffering heavy losses and has been forced to retreat as the fighting reaches the interior of Sittwe Township.

An observer monitoring the conflict near Sittwe stated that the military launched an offensive, codenamed "4926", on September 4 against five locations in southern Ponnagyun Township. Utilizing full ground, naval, and air power, the military initially advanced as far as Kuntaung Village, inflicting early casualties on the AA.

However, a fierce AA counter-offensive dealt disastrous defeats to the military across all five fronts. As a result, the frontline has moved beyond Ponnagyun and deep into Sittwe Township, forcing the military into an all-out defensive posture to maintain control of the regional capital.

Military sources report that the junta has lost control of the Kankaw village area. Clashes have now reached the vicinity of the Regional Operations Command (ROC) headquarters.

"They heavily reinforced their strength from the beginning, deploying large numbers of trained Muslim soldiers, preparing defensive positions with superior manpower, and laying thousands of landmines," a source stated. "However, they could not withstand the AA’s offensive. The fighting has now reached the gates of the ROC headquarters."

To resist the AA's advance, the military has established defensive lines on the outskirts of Sittwe. These are modeled after fortified bases previously captured by the AA, such as Maungdaw’s Border Guard Police Battalion 5 (Na-Kha-Kha 5), and are manned by approximately 400 troops.

Rather than defending from within battalion compounds, the junta has shifted its tactics by moving all soldiers outside the bases to establish a frontline. Additionally, forces have prepared trenches, bunkers, and underground tunnels to protect against drone attacks.

A source close to the AA told Narinjara that intense fighting continues at multiple locations on the outskirts of Sittwe, confirming that at least five junta majors have been killed in action so far.

During the battle for Ngapyi Kyunt Island, a large portion of the junta soldiers who landed on the shore were reportedly wiped out or taken prisoner. While both sides have sustained casualties, the military has suffered significantly heavier losses. Additionally, one junta naval vessel was completely destroyed in the engagement, while another was severely damaged and had to be towed away.

The Arakan Army’s Information Department is expected to release an official report soon regarding the status of Ngapyi Island and the captured prisoners.