Military, AA exchange heavy weapons fire along Sittwe-Ponnagyun border

By Admin 23 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
23 December 2024, Sittwe

The Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) exchanged heavy weapons fire near villages on the border of Arakan State's Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships on December 21 and 22.

The military and AA traded fire near Theintan, Tawkan and Amyint Kyun villages in Sittwe Township and Yeyoepyin and Sabahtar villages in Ponnagyun Township, with the former conducting airstrikes and firing mortar shells on residential areas.

"Myanmar Navy vessels from Shwe Min Gan Naval Base and Thaekhon Village fired mortar shells on the villages. A junta jet fighter launched airstrikes twice, with the AA firing heavy weapons on the Myanmar Navy vessels," said a source close to the AA.

With the exchange of fire between the two sides in recent days, residents of Sittwe, who live under the control of the military regime, are concerned about their personal safety.

The regime has undertaken overnight guest checks in Sittwe's Kontan, Danyawadi, Sat Yoe Kya and Mingan wards since December 21, said a local man in the Arakan State capital.

"The regime has re-conducted overnight guest checks in Sittwe since the exchange of heavy weapons. People in downtown Sittwe are concerned for their safety," the Sittwe man added.

The military's heavy artillery fire has left some fishermen in Pauktaw, Minbya, Ponnagyun and Sittwe townships afraid to go out fishing.

A source close to the AA also said that the regime has increased its presence around the seaport city of Sittwe with at least 10 Myanmar Navy vessels after losing Maungdaw and Ann townships to the AA in recent weeks.

"Three Myanmar Navy ships have arrived in Sittwe from Kyaukphyu in recent days," the source added.

The regime has been continuously sending reinforcements to the villages of Amyint Kyun, Chi Lae Pin, Theintan, Kyarmathauk and Tawkan in Sittwe Township in recent days, and the AA has also been reinforcing positions in areas under its control.

As the military and the AA continue to build up their military presence in Sittwe Township, observers predict that major fighting will break out in early 2025.

Since the latest fighting between the Myanmar military and AA broke out in November 2023, the AA has captured 14 townships including 13 townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.