Heavy fighting enters fourth day along Sittwe-Ponnagyun border

By Admin 07 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 September 2026, Ponnagyun

Clashes triggered by a military junta offensive advancing from Sittwe Township across Minchaung Bridge into Ponnagyun Township have continued for four consecutive days as of September 7, according to military sources.

From early morning through the afternoon today, fighting between military junta troops and the Arakan Army continued near Minchaung Bridge in Sittwe Township and Kuntaung Village in Ponnagyun Township.

Military sources reported that the military junta conducted airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling targeting Kuntaung, Sabahtar, Aidin, and Thonesaung villages until after 2:00 PM on Monday.

A military source said heavy clashes also erupted between the military junta and the Arakan Army near Minchaung Bridge on September 6.

"Yesterday morning was briefly quiet. Then, starting around 1:00 PM, the Arakan Army launched drone attacks around the bridge. Intermittent exchanges of heavy artillery and small arms fire continued throughout the entire day," the source said.

During the ongoing battles, the military junta deployed heavy artillery, small arms, drones, and airstrikes, causing shells to explode inside civilian villages.

Between around 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM on Monday, the military junta carried out airstrikes on Ponnagyun Township, with bombs landing near Phetkya Village along the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road, causing destruction and property damage.

Additionally, military junta battalions based in Sittwe launched heavy artillery bombardments targeting Thaekhon Village in Pauktaw Township starting this morning.

"Airstrikes dropped bombs, and heavy artillery was fired from Sittwe toward Thaekhon Village," a military source confirmed.

Military tensions escalated following junta airstrikes on seven villages across Sittwe, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships on September 3, leading to direct clashes that began on the morning of September 4.

On the morning of September 4, the military junta launched an offensive across Minchaung Bridge toward Kuntaung Village in Ponnagyun Township, prompting the Arakan Army to reinforce its troops and launch counterattacks that evening.

In an official statement released on September 4, the Arakan Army said the military junta advanced using at least seven static bases, two armored vehicles, and naval warships providing artillery support.

Military analysts assess that the military junta is attempting to secure a foothold in Ponnagyun Township to push further into territories controlled by the Arakan Army.

"The primary objective is Minchaung Bridge. After crossing Minchaung Bridge, they intend to launch an offensive on Kuntaung Village, which is why they are heavily targeting Kuntaung. From Kuntaung, they aim to secure control up to the Ponnagyun and Rathedaung road junction," said Captain Zin Yaw, a military defector, in an interview with DMG.

Due to the fighting along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border, thousands of local residents from roughly 20 villages across Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships have fled to safer areas.

While the military junta conducts offensives in Ponnagyun Township, intense fighting is also ongoing in Kyaukphyu Township as junta forces carry out naval movements and ground column advances.

In Thandwe and Gwa townships, the military junta is conducting naval operations to attempt amphibious landings while simultaneously carrying out relentless airstrikes.

Military analysts warn that fighting across Arakan State is likely to intensify further as the military junta deploys massive ground, air, and naval assets in an attempt to recapture towns controlled by the Arakan Army.