Myanmar Junta Naval Assault Repelled Near Rakhine Capital as Arakan Army Hits Warship

CINCDS / Junta forces pictured during a naval exercise

Heavy clashes erupted along the Kaladan River near the Rakhine State capital of Sittwe after Arakan Army (AA) forces repelled repeated junta amphibious assaults on strategically vital Ngapyi Island, striking at least one junta warship, local military sources reported.

Junta forces launched amphibious landing attempts on the AA-controlled island, located roughly one mile east of the regime’s Shwe Min Gan Naval Base in Sittwe. However, intense counterstrikes by the AA—including drone attacks and artillery bombardment—forced the vessels to pull back.

On Oct. 9, the regime escalated its offensive, deploying at least six warships from Shwe Min Gan Base under heavy artillery fire support from army and police battalions stationed inside Sittwe.

During the engagement, AA artillery directly hit one of the advancing warships, causing it to catch fire and retreat to base. Local military sources reported visible smoke rising from at least one vessel, though casualty figures remain unconfirmed.

The clashes have sparked widespread panic among Sittwe residents. On the evening of Oct. 8, an artillery shell landed inside a forestry compound on Airport Road near Alodawpyae Monastery inside the city.

The renewed naval offensive follows the collapse of the junta’s "Operation 4926," launched in early September in neighboring Ponnagyun Township, where AA counter-maneuvers successfully broke regime momentum and captured several outposts near Sittwe.