Thousands of residents from Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships, which border the Rakhine State capital of Sittwe, have been forced to flee their homes as heavy fighting intensifies, according to local sources.
Villagers reported that the Myanmar military has launched relentless strikes using heavy artillery, airstrikes, and rocket salvoes, impacting residential areas and causing civilian casualties.
“Artillery shells landed in Kuntaung, Padetha, and Yarchaung villages, as well as Ponnagyun Town,” said a female resident from Ponnagyun. “Residents in Yarchaung and Yayphyukan villages, along with people in Ponnagyun Town, have begun fleeing to safer areas after an exploding shell injured a woman on September 4.”
In Ponnagyun Township, displaced residents include locals from Tabethlan, Yarchaung, Ahtelthae, Hsininngyi, Yayphyukan, and Chaungwa Villages, as well as Ponnagyun Town itself.
Concurrently, hundreds of residents from Rathedaung Township—specifically Aungseik, Thanchaung, Kalarchaung, Aungma, Magyichaung, Angumaw, Kyetyoeseik, and Sarpyingyi Villages—are fleeing due to nearby clashes and the ongoing threat of junta artillery fire.
“Heavy artillery shells and small arms fire have been landing in the fields near our villages, leaving behind unexploded ordnance,” a local man from Rathedaung said. “Terrified by the constant gunfire, residents are seeking refuge in neighboring villages or staying with relatives.”
Intense clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) have raged along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border since September 4 and remain ongoing.
Amid relentless artillery fire from naval vessels and nine Sittwe-based battalions, the Arakan Army temporarily closed the main highway near Ponnagyun Town.
“Fighting remained intense this morning following overnight artillery and airstrikes,” a local man in Ponnagyun reported. “Shells landed directly on and near the highway, forcing a complete road closure. The military is firing indiscriminately.”
Clashes across Rakhine State have simultaneously escalated in the remaining junta-held hubs of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, with the military relying heavily on air and naval power. Junta forces are also attempting amphibious landings along the coast in southern Rakhine's Gwa and Thandwe townships.
