Fighting resumes in Sittwe with heavy exchange of artillery and drones

By Admin 04 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 September 2026, Sittwe

Fighting broke out between the military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, starting the morning of September 4, with both sides engaging in intense exchanges of fire, according to military sources and local residents.

Clashes are occurring along the border between Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships. Military sources noted that the junta is employing heavy artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and drones, while the Arakan Army (AA) is responding with heavy artillery and drones, alongside ground-level small arms fire.

"Tensions rose yesterday after the military junta launched provocative airstrikes. This morning, heavy artillery fire triggered mutual clashes. Both sides have been exchanging fire throughout the morning," said a military source.

The fighting erupted following military junta airstrikes on the afternoon of September 3, which targeted seven villages across Ponnagyun, Sittwe, and Rathedaung townships.

After a relative lull in military operations on the Sittwe front since late July, active clashes resumed between both sides after more than a month.

Residents in Ponnagyun Township reported hearing heavy artillery and small arms fire along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border continuously from around 5:00 AM until 10:00 AM today.

"We started hearing heavy artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and small arms fire early this morning. The clashes between both sides appear quite severe. Firing sounds can still be heard this morning, and the ground in nearby Ponnagyun villages is shaking," said a local resident in Ponnagyun Township.

On the morning of September 3, the military junta used warships to shell coastal areas in Gwa and Thandwe townships. Later that afternoon, it launched simultaneous air raids on Sittwe, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships.

Following these continuous military offensives by the military junta, the Arakan Army (AA) issued an emergency advisory warning the public to exercise extreme caution regarding aerial and naval threats.

Since capturing and controlling Werathani, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships surrounding Sittwe town, the Arakan Army (AA) has maintained an encirclement.

While the Sittwe front had not seen intense ground battles recently, offensive pressure by the Arakan Army (AA) alongside heavy artillery exchanges has continued.