Junta troops suffer heavy casualties in failed landings on AA-held Ngapyi Island

By Admin 10 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

10 October 2026, Werathani

The military junta has suffered heavy casualties during repeated failed attempts to launch large scale amphibious landing operations targeting Ngapyi Island, which is controlled by the Arakan Army along the Kaladan River border shared by Sittwe, Ponnagyun, and Werathani townships, according to local military sources.

Deploying from the Shwe Min Gan Naval Base in Sittwe, junta forces attempted amphibious landings on the Arakan Army-held island in Werathani Township for three consecutive days starting October 7.

However, intense counterstrikes involving artillery bombardment and drone attacks by the Arakan Army prevented the troops from coming ashore, forcing junta warships to pull back.

"On the first day, commandos and special forces were sent in on roughly five vessels in a suicidal attempt to land," a frontline source familiar with the military situation said. "A little over 10 junta soldiers managed to touch the shore, but they were entirely wiped out. The following day, junta navy vessels in the middle of the river sent small speedboats. As soon as they neared the shore, they were eliminated. They tried again yesterday. Landing on this island is nearly impossible, and many soldiers died stuck in deep coastal mud."

Military sources confirmed that at least 40 junta soldiers who managed to reach land were killed during the three days of fighting.

Following their failed amphibious assaults, junta forces have launched continuous airstrikes, drone strikes, and heavy artillery shelling targeting villages on Ngapyi Island.

"The military attempt to conduct amphibious landings failed completely," another military source said. "Having suffered significant naval setbacks, the junta is now conducting daily airstrikes along the shores of Ngapyi Island."

Under Operation 4926, the military regime has maintained relentless daily air and artillery bombardments across townships in Arakan State under Arakan Army control.

Local residents reported that at least six junta warships remain deployed from the Shwe Min Gan Naval Base in Sittwe and are actively conducting naval maneuvers.

In Werathani Township, local civilians and displaced persons face severe daily livelihood hardships due to naval shelling, arbitrary detentions, and strict maritime blockades imposed by the regime.

With ground troops unable to secure a foothold due to Arakan Army artillery strikes, the junta has turned heavily to air power to bombard Ngapyi Island, according to local residents.

"The military launched airstrikes targeting Ngapyi Island using jet fighters and Y-12 aircraft yesterday," said a male resident of Werathani Township. "While no civilian casualties were reported yesterday, another aerial attack was carried out around 5:00 a.m. today."

Situated in the Kaladan River at the junction of Sittwe, Ponnagyun, and Werathani townships, Ngapyi Island holds critical strategic value in northern Arakan State.

The military regime is currently bringing in fresh reinforcements to Sittwe, attempting to mount renewed amphibious offensives against Werathani Township under heavy air support.