Military sources have confirmed that the Arakan Army (AA) captured two strategic outposts near the Regional Operations Command in Sittwe, Rakhine State. According to Captain Zin Yaw, a CDMer, the military has concentrated high-level leadership in the city, including Western Command Commander Major General Kyaw Swar Oo and Lieutenant General Naing Naing Oo, who are reportedly moving locations constantly to avoid being targeted.

“AA and the Military Commission are facing off between Kan Kaw Kyun and War Bo Kyun on the other side. The Military Commission completely lost two outposts on Kan Kaw Kyun. Their troops fled, though we don’t know yet about casualties or captures. We know that besides the ROC and Western Command, the Bureau of Special Operations (BSO) chief is also there. He hasn’t retreated yet but is constantly moving locations,” he said.

Captain Zin Yaw concluded that because the Military Commission forces in Yay Chan Pyin Village have been forced to retreat as far as the State Parliament office, the capture of Sittwe would be imminent if the AA can gain full control of the strategically vital Kan Kaw Kyun.

“If the AA can hold Kan Kaw Kyun, the military will have to flee, but there will be nowhere left to flee. Those in Sittwe know that if the AA captures Kan Kaw Kyun, the battle for Sittwe is effectively over,” he said.

According to military sources, Kan Kaw Kyun, Nar Yi Kan Bridge, and Kyauk Tan Bridge on the outskirts of Sittwe are strategic landmarks. To defend these areas, the Military Commission has been fortifying its defenses around the Thet Kay Pyin Regional Operations Command in Sittwe since mid-2025.

However, a local military source stated that the AA has currently deployed enough forces to surround the Sittwe area.

“The AA’s capture of the two outposts near the Regional Operations Command didn’t just happen yesterday; it was known about two days ago. Both enemy bodies and wounded soldiers have been captured,” the source told Mizzima.

The source added that close-quarters combat is occurring in the Sittwe battle zone, with small arms fire being exchanged.

Mizzima attempted to contact local residents in Sittwe, but communication remains cut off due to phone line outages.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Military Commission has repeatedly reinforced its troops and ammunition in Sittwe via naval vessels and has spent months preparing heavy defenses.

It is reported that the Military Commission has established high security at the airport and naval bases within Sittwe.

There are more than 10 naval ships in Sittwe, and at least 10 military units, including the ROC, Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 20, 270, 232, and Infantry Battalions (IB) 344, 354, as well as Police Battalions 12 and 36.

The AA has already captured and controlled 15 towns, including the Western Command headquarters, in Rakhine State.

The AA is currently conducting simultaneous operations in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, while maintaining offensives on three fronts along the border between Rakhine State and central Myanmar