Junta seeks foothold on strategic island in Kaladan River as Arakan Army counterattacks

By Admin 12 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 October 2026, Werathani

Heavy fighting is raging on Ngapyi Island in Werathani Township, Arakan State, as the military junta and the Arakan Army deploy substantial reinforcements in a struggle for control of the strategic territory, according to local sources.

With junta forces having established a foothold in some parts of Ngapyi Island, the Arakan Army has reinforced its ranks to launch counteroffensives.

"The military is reinforcing its troops in an attempt to establish a permanent base on the island," a frontline military source said. "The Arakan Army is executing strategic counterattacks to regain total control of the island. The regime is throwing everything it has into air support and heavy naval artillery. The combat situation remains extremely intense."

Junta forces have been attempting amphibious landings on Ngapyi Island, located near the Shwe Min Gan Naval Base, since October 7, persistently striving to establish a beachhead.

To carry out the amphibious landings, the regime has been ferrying pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members from large naval vessels onto high-speed combat motorboats.

Situated at the junction of Sittwe, Werathani, and Ponnagyun townships, Ngapyi Island lies just over a mile from the Shwe Min Gan Naval Base, Sittwe's economic and military lifeline. Consequently, both sides are fighting fiercely for control of the island, which is pivotal to the battle for Sittwe.

"Ngapyi Island is a genuinely vital location at the mouth of the Kaladan River," said Captain Zin Yaw, a military defector. "It connects Pauktaw, Sittwe, and Ponnagyun. It holds immense strategic, economic, and maritime significance. Currently, troops from Light Infantry Battalion 354, an artillery subunit from Artillery Battalion 373, and a commando column from the Regional Operations Command in Sittwe have arrived on the island and are positioning heavy artillery. The Arakan Army is actively mounting counteroffensives."

Alongside the offensive on Ngapyi Island, junta forces launched aerial bombardments targeting Hsin Ai Village in Werathani Township, killing at least seven civilians and wounding more than 10 others.

"As fighting on Ngapyi Island is so intense, the military has been indiscriminately shelling and launching airstrikes from afar toward villages near the Kyein Khway Maw mountain range," a Pauktaw resident said. "Residents in Paikseik, Manaw Thiri, and Latpanpyar villages must exercise extreme caution. Everyone is deeply terrified of aerial attacks."

Clashes between junta troops and the Arakan Army were also reported near Amyint Kyun Village in Sittwe Township.

Following heavy casualties and strategic setbacks during Operation 4926 in Ponnagyun Township, the military junta has shifted its offensive focus toward Werathani Township.

The military regime is launching offensives on multiple fronts to recapture lost townships across Arakan State, with daily frontline clashes reported across Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magway regions, as well as Chin State.