ULA/AA urges public to exercise caution as military tensions escalate in Arakan

By Admin 04 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 September 2026, Mrauk-U

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has urged residents across Arakan State to remain vigilant over the threat of airstrikes and other military attacks as fighting intensifies on several fronts.

In a statement issued on September 4, the ULA/AA said the Myanmar military has recently stepped up operations in and around Arakan State, warning that civilians could face increased security risks as clashes continue.

The warning comes as fighting resumed between the military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border early Thursday, with both sides exchanging fire following junta airstrikes a day earlier. 

DMG reported that the junta launched airstrikes on seven villages across Ponnagyun, Sittwe and Rathedaung townships on the afternoon of September 3. Earlier that day, junta warships also shelled coastal areas in Gwa and Thandwe townships. 

The ULA/AA statement said the junta has continued military operations in areas bordering Arakan State and alleged that it is increasingly relying on aerial attacks as fighting continues on the ground.

The AA has made similar claims in recent weeks. In an August 5 statement, it said the junta had intensified airstrikes across Arakan after suffering setbacks in ground fighting, with attacks reported in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Thandwe, Gwa, Kyeintali, Virathani and areas along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border. 

The latest ULA/AA statement also referred to recent attacks affecting civilians and reiterated its warning that people should remain alert to possible aerial attacks.

Military tensions around Sittwe have increased after a relative lull in major ground fighting since late July. Residents in Ponnagyun Township told DMG on Thursday that they heard sustained exchanges of fire from around 5 a.m. until later in the morning, with the sounds of fighting audible from nearby villages. 

The AA has controlled Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships surrounding Sittwe and has maintained military pressure around the junta-held state capital. Sittwe remains one of the military regime’s principal remaining strongholds in Arakan State.

The ULA/AA called on residents to follow security warnings and take precautions amid what it described as an increasingly dangerous military situation.

The group also said it would continue to issue public warnings when necessary as military tensions persist.