Junta launches air and artillery attacks on townships bordering Sittwe

By Admin 30 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

30 April 2026, Sittwe

The Myanmar military carried out airstrikes and heavy artillery attacks on April 29 targeting Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships, which border regime-controlled Sittwe, according to local residents.

Artillery units based in Sittwe Regional Command Headquarters and other military positions fired more than 10 shells into Pauktaw Township, with explosions reported near Taungphu and surrounding villages.

“Yesterday, Sittwe fired many heavy weapons toward Pauktaw, hitting near Taungphu and Taung Oo Maw villages. We don’t know about casualties in Taung Oo Maw Village yet, but residents in Taungphu Village are safe,” said a local man in Pauktaw Township.

In addition, two jet fighters reportedly carried out bombing raids near a bridge over Min Creek at the entrance to Sittwe, as well as in Kuntaung Village in Ponnagyun Township and villages on Mosel Island in Rathedaung Township.

“A bomb was dropped on Kuntaung in Ponnagyun and its vicinity. We didn’t hear any fighting, jets just came and dropped bombs,” said a resident in Ponnagyun.

Residents in Ponnagyun Township and Mosel Island, Rathedaung Township, have been displaced since last year due to ongoing threats of airstrikes and artillery shelling.

Around 3:00 PM on the same day, airstrikes were also reported on several villages on Mosel Island.

Although clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) have continued in Sittwe Township for over a year, fighting reportedly eased after the Thingyan holiday period.

However, the regime has recently intensified the use of fighter jets and coordinated air operations across Arakan State, resulting in growing civilian casualties and injuries.