Regime deploys more warships around Sittwe

By Admin 27 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 December 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has reportedly deployed additional naval forces around Sittwe to counter an Arakkha Army (AA) offensive that grows nearer to the Arakan State capital by the day.

"The military regime deployed at least five naval ships at Shwe Min Gan and Thaekhon Village in Sittwe. The Myanmar Navy vessels were reportedly sent from Kyaukphyu," said a resident of Sittwe.

The Myanmar Navy vessels were deployed in the last week of December, and currently, at least ten warships surround Sittwe.

Since the latest fighting in Arakan State began in November 2023, the AA has been capturing townships controlled by the military regime one by one, and is encircling remaining junta positions and reinforcing its forces as it looks to launch an offensive targeting the Arakan State capital.

The Myanmar military and AA exchanged heavy weapons fire near villages along the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships on December 21 and 22. The regime has also conducted airstrikes and fired mortar shells targeting residential areas in Sittwe Township.

"AA troops opened fire on Myanmar Navy vessels near Sittwe. The junta indiscriminately fired mortar shells into some villages. One of the shells fired by the military landed and exploded in Thaekhon Village, but no civilian casualties were reported," said a local woman.

Hundreds of local people from villages on the border of Arakan State's Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships are reportedly fleeing junta artillery attacks and airstrikes. About 180 households from Kuntaung and Hsininngyi villages, Padetha old village and Padetha new village in Ponnagyun Township were displaced by the junta attacks.

"The military regime is trying to convince its troops that it is providing aerial and artillery support before the AA steps up its offensive. In any case, the AA knows that it is preparing a strategic operation," said a military observer in Arakan State.

If it captures Gwa as is expected imminently, the AA will have only three other townships in Arakan State to occupy: Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung. The AA has been urging locals to evacuate in advance for the past few days, warning that fighting in Sittwe Township could soon intensify.