Fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Junta troops started yesterday(29 August) in Sittwe Township, the junta’s administrative center of Rakhine State.
The fighting occurred yesterday, 29 August, around 3 p.m., between the junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) in Minhla (a.k.a) Meelaung village, Sittwe Township, where the military council forces had initiated an offensive into the village
A resident said: “The fighting started because the junta army initiated an offensive. They also fired heavy artillery in support of their attack. They advanced from the riverbank towards Minhla village.”
Some junta bases stationed in Sittwe City also provided support by firing heavy weapons more than 30 times at the area where the fighting took place.
The battle lasted until around 7 p.m., and the junta forces resulted in casualties and eventually retreated, according to a resident.
A aforementioned resident said: “We heard that the junta suffered significant losses, which is why it is believed that they retreated.”
The outcome of the first battle in Sittwe township was favorable, according to someone close to the Arakan Army.
It is known that villages such as Minhla, Kingmaw, and Warbo are located near the area where the battle took place.
In addition, on 30 August, around 3 a.m., the junta also conducted an airstrike at the battle site using a jet fighter.
During the fighting, the junta used heavy weapons and drone attacks, which resulted in damage to a monastery and residential houses in Khamoungtaw village, Ponnagyun Township.“The Khamoungtaw village was hit by heavy artillery. Artillery shells fell in the village and also on the monastery. The junta also conducted drone attacks, and artillery shells landed outside of the village as well,” the resident added.
The junta had frequent shelling on Khamoungtaw village, resulting in damage to residential homes and buildings.
Currently, the battle has entered the vicinity of Sittwe City, causing significant concern among those trapped within the city.
Inquiries are still underway with the Arakan Army regarding this current fighting.
