AA, junta reinforce positions on Sittwe-Ponnagyun border

By Admin 19 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
19 December 2024, Sittwe

Military tensions are running high on the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships in Arakan State, with both the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) reinforcing their positions.

The regime has reinforced at least five villages and surrounding areas in Sittwe, and the AA has also been reinforcing its positions in Ponnagyun and Sittwe townships.

“The regime has reinforced its bases in villages in Sittwe with both manpower and weapons,” a source familiar with the matter told DMG.

Sittwe is the only town controlled by the regime in northern Arakan State. The AA has seized the rest.

The AA has laid siege to Sittwe since seizing Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Pauktaw townships bordering Sittwe. Some AA troops have penetrated Sittwe, resulting in frequent skirmishes with the regime.

The regime has often carried out air and artillery strikes in Pauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung in an attempt to deter the AA’s potential advance on Sittwe.

“The AA has not yet launched an offensive in Sittwe. But there have been sporadic skirmishes. Both sides are preparing for military action. Lately, the regime shells villages on the border of Ponnagyun and Sittwe daily,” said a resident of Ponnagyun Township.

One civilian was killed and four others injured in Padetha Village in Ponnagyun Township in a junta artillery strike on Tuesday.

“The regime has expected that the AA’s offensive will soon reach Sittwe. Sittwe is the only town controlled by the regime in northern Arakan after the fall of Maungdaw. So, the regime is making preparations. The AA has publicly stated that it would drive junta troops out of Arakan State. So, heavy fighting is very likely in early 2025,” said an observer.

The regime has deployed its troops in at least 30 villages on the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun, forcing nearly 20,000 residents from their homes.

The AA has captured 12 of 17 townships in Arakan State since launching an offensive in November of last year, and is now focused on seizing the whole of Ann and Gwa townships.