Myanmar junta forces are suffering heavy casualties and retreating from an Arakan Army (AA) counteroffensive along the Sittwe front in western Rakhine State, military sources report.

Clashes along the Sittwe front remain intense, with the AA capturing four junta outpost positions on the Sittwe side in recent days.

"There are ongoing offensive operations on the ground," a military source reported. "The Arakan Army's counteroffensive has gained strong momentum thanks to highly accurate drone, artillery, and sniper support."

During the counteroffensive on September 15 and 16, AA troops seized four outposts along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border. These included positions near the Minchaung Bridge, as well as the villages of Khamaungtaw and Aungmyaygon near the Shwe Min Gan naval station.

Military sources noted that the AA's tactical shift to a counteroffensive forced junta troops to abandon several bases, resulting in severe personnel losses, including commanding officers.

The military regime initially launched its offensive toward Ponnagyun Township on September 4, deploying five main columns backed by naval and air force firepower. However, the initial vanguard suffered a decisive defeat.

Following these operational failures and base losses, junta forces have launched near-daily heavy airstrikes along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border.

"Junta jet fighters dropped bombs near Kuntaung Village again this morning," a local Ponnagyun resident said. "Due to the relentless bombardment, villagers between Sittwe and Ponnagyun are being forced to flee to safer areas every day."

The escalating violence has displaced thousands of residents from Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships near the Sittwe border, creating an urgent need for emergency humanitarian aid.

The military regime's current campaign in the region, codenamed ‘Operation 4926’, marks the first major military offensive launched under General Ye Win Oo since his appointment as the junta's commander-in-chief of defense services.