Fierce fighting breaks out near junta’s No. 344 Artillery Regiment in Yekyi Twsp

By Admin 23 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

23 February 2026, Yekyi, Ayeyarwady Region

Heavy fighting has erupted in recent days between Myanmar’s military regime and a coalition led by the Arakan Army (AA) near the junta’s No. 344 Artillery Regiment in Mrauksan Village, Yekyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region, according to military and local sources.

Clashes have intensified since February 19, with the regime launching counter offensives supported by airstrikes, a military source said.

“Fighting broke out after the military attempted to deploy a column from the No. 344 Artillery Regiment toward the Arakan Mountains. The military regime is advancing with aerial support. It appears they aim to secure control of the Arakan mountain range to exert military pressure on Arakan State,” the source said.

Since early 2026, the military regime has also attempted to regain control of sections of the Pathein-Monywa road in Laymyethna Township, triggering repeated clashes in the area.

A resident of Yekyi Township said travel along parts of the Pathein-Monywa road, including the Yaynantha Junction, has been blocked by the military, disrupting the transport of goods and affecting local livelihoods.

“The fighting has been very intense. We can hear explosions and see airstrikes, though we don’t know the exact locations. The military regime has closed the Yaynantha Junction and parts of the Pathein-Monywa road. No one is allowed to pass, so goods cannot be transported,” the resident said.

Intense clashes also occurred near the No. 344 Artillery Regiment in August 2025. After Arakan Army-led forces captured several frontline outposts, fighting temporarily subsided before flaring up again this month.

The military source added that the military regime has reinforced the No. 344 Artillery Regiment with additional troops from battalions based in Kyonpyaw.

The offensive in Ayeyarwady Region involves units under the Southwest Regional Military Command and the Coastal Region Military Command.

Military observers say the military regime is attempting ground offensives in Yekyi, Thabaung and Laymyethna townships in a bid to establish a corridor into Arakan State.

On the Ayeyarwady front, a coalition comprising the Arakan Army, Strategic Unit No. 29 and local resistance forces has been conducting operations since 2025, reportedly capturing at least 10 military outposts.