The Arakan Army (AA) announced on September 5 that the junta has launched a preemptive offensive aimed at retaining control of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, two of the few remaining cities it still holds in Arakan (Rakhine) State.
Although the junta launched preemptive strikes against the AA, the group had already encircled the two cities and carried out coordinated defensive and counteroffensive operations, rendering the junta’s attacks unsuccessful and inflicting heavy casualties, according to the AA.
“The junta’s offensive to protect its remaining bases has resulted in heavy casualties, as the AA’s determined forces, organized defenses, and counteroffensives have blunted the attacks,” the AA statement noted.
The junta and the AA are currently locked in a military stalemate in Sittwe Township, which includes Sittwe City, the capital of Arakan State, while the junta continues to shell AA-controlled Ponnagyun and Pauktaw townships with artillery.
“There hasn’t been any artillery shelling in Sittwe Township for the past three or four days. Both sides have brought in more troops and are watching each other closely, keeping the situation very tense,” a local source told DMG.
More than 30 villages in Ponnagyun Township, near the Sittwe Township border, have been temporarily evacuated due to the junta’s military operations and artillery bombardments.
In Kyaukphyu Township, clashes continue near the junta’s Dhanyawadi naval base, close to Police Battalion 32, and around the natural gas storage facility.
Residents of nearby communities are fleeing as Police Battalion 32, the naval base, and warships at sea launch daily drone and artillery attacks on their villages.
The junta pounded Yaenantaung, Minpyin, Kyaukpyauk, and Zinchaung villages in Kyaukphyu Township—which were not involved in active clashes—with naval artillery from warships, and also carried out airstrikes.
Analysts on Arakan State affairs suggested that if the junta escalates its offensive against the AA ahead of the upcoming elections it will oversee, fighting in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu is likely to intensify.
“Right now, the AA hasn’t really gone on the offensive yet. That’s probably because the junta is still ramping up its attacks. The AA is mostly focused on reinforcing the areas it already controls, especially along the Kyaukphyu frontline. While it’s holding its ground there, it’s also putting pressure on Sittwe. If the junta steps up its offensives before the election, the fighting is likely to get much more intense,” an analyst said.
Currently, the AA controls 14 townships in Arakan State and has encircled Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung, which are still held by the junta.
The AA launched its ambitious military operations to capture towns in Arakan State in November 2023. In a statement, the group declared that it will continue fighting until the Arakan people achieve their goal of liberating the entire state.
photo credit - SAC
