Residents of more than 20 border villages in Ponnagyun Township, next to Sittwe Township where Sittwe City, the capital of Arakan (Rakhine) State is located, have been evacuated amid fears that fighting may break out in Sittwe.
Residents of villages including Baundular, Kywehto, Tahkho, Balimaw, Aidin, Tabathlan, Nghetkyikone, Siningyi, Padaytha, and Alelchaung, all within Ponnagyun Township, were already evacuated.
The villagers had previously fled during the fighting that allowed the Arakan Army (AA) to capture Ponnagyun Township. However, due to harsh living conditions, they had returned home but are now forced to evacuate once again.
“They evacuated because they feared fierce fighting might break out soon. The junta battalions in Sittwe often bombard these Ponnagyun Township villages with artillery. On top of that, the junta is bringing in reinforcements and deploying naval ships in Sittwe, so the locals are worried and have already left,” said a source familiar with the current situation.
The junta’s intensified artillery shelling and drone reconnaissance near Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships have further heightened local concerns.
With the AA positioned in Ponnagyun Township and the junta in Sittwe Township, both prepared for battle, intense fighting could break out at any moment.
“I can often see junta drones flying around at night. Other villagers tell me they’re reconnaissance drones. Just seeing them scares me, and I worry they might drop bombs. I also frequently hear the sounds of heavy weapons being fired, which really makes me panic,” a woman from Ponnagyun Township told DMG.
In recent days, the junta has also stepped up its naval presence off Sittwe Township and at the Kalandan Rivermouth, deploying around 10 warships, according to local witnesses.
Currently, no active battles are taking place in Sittwe Township. The AA remains on alert in a defensive position, while increased military activity has been observed on the junta’s side.
“So far, there have been artillery exchanges between the two sides, but no ground offensives have started yet. Both sides are mobilizing their forces and preparing for a possible showdown. The junta has also increased naval activity in the Shwe Min Gan area of Sittwe City,” a local military analyst said.
The Minchaung Bridge, located on the Yangon-Sittwe Highway and built to connect Ponnagyun Township to Sittwe, was blown up by the junta in February 2023 to prevent a possible AA offensive.
Currently, locals are watching with concern as rival forces deploy on both sides of the bridge, heightening tensions.
The AA has captured 14 of Arakan State’s 17 townships, while the junta continues to control Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung. The AA managed to capture Ponnagyun Township in March 2024.
