Junta battalions in Sittwe shell neighbouring townships under AA control

By Admin 06 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
6 September 2024, Sittwe

Junta battalions in Sittwe have fired artillery shells daily at Pauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships following clashes with the Arakkha Army (AA) near Minhla Village on Kankaw Island in Sittwe Township, according to residents.

The naval base in Sittwe’s Pyi Taw Thar Ward fired multiple rockets and artillery at Wa Phee Chat mountain and surrounding areas in Pauktaw Township at around 11 a.m. on Friday.

“Junta battalions in Sittwe have fired shells at random though there is still no fighting in Sittwe. Today, the naval base fired twice; four rockets each time. We don’t know the extent of the damage,” a Sittwe resident told DMG.

Two shells landed in the Kaladan River between Pauktaw Township and Sittwe Town, and others landed in the mountains, according to witnesses.

“The streets are deserted in Sittwe now. Residents are gripped by fear,” said another resident.

The AA has seized Pauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships bordering Sittwe Township. The regime has carried out daily artillery and air attacks on villages along the borders of Sittwe Township.

“The regime apparently was frightened after the AA launched attacks in Kankaw Island near the regional operations command,” said a military analyst. “So, it is firing shells to prevent another advance of AA troops. The regime knows that the AA will come for Sittwe after seizing Maungdaw.”

The regime suffered around 30 fatalities in clashes in Sittwe Township in late August. The regime has since beefed up security in the Arakan State capital.

Since launching an offensive in November, the AA has seized 10 townships in Arakan State plus Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. It has also seized much of Maungdaw Township, with Sittwe being the only town under full junta control in northern Arakan State, where the regime has used its infantry battalions, navy and air force to defend against AA attacks.