Thousands displaced as junta shells three townships near Sittwe

By Admin 30 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

30 January 2026, Sittwe

Local residents in Ponnagyun, Pauktaw and Rathedaung townships, which border the state capital Sittwe, have been forced to flee as the Myanmar military regime has carried out sustained artillery attacks and airstrikes since January 25.

Junta battalions based in Pardaleik Village and the Regional Command Headquarters in Sittwe have been launching daily artillery bombardments on Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships. Airstrikes targeting Ponnagyun and Pauktaw townships have also destroyed homes by fire in several villages.

On January 28, the regime carried out airstrikes on Thaekhon Village in Pauktaw Township and Kuntaung Village in Ponnagyun Township, destroying at least two houses.

Residents in Rathedaung Township also reported displacement due to the regime’s use of heavy weapons and drones.

“Local villagers near the border with Sittwe are fleeing because the regime is attacking with artillery and drones. People are afraid to sleep in their villages at night and are staying in the paddy fields instead. Villages closest to Pardaleik are facing daily artillery fire,” said a local woman from Mosel Island in Rathedaung Township.

The regime has also been conducting daily airstrikes on Panzinmaw, Nyaungpinle, Zeekaing and Hsarpyingyi villages on Mosel Island.

Military sources said the regime is targeting villages in Ponnagyun Township bordering Sittwe, including Kuntaung, Sabahtar and Khamaungtaw, as well as Wahbo Island in Sittwe Township.

“We can hear the sound of gunfire from the Sittwe side every day now. Just yesterday, the regime attacked Kuntaung Village with drones, burning down two houses. Since shells are also landing in the fields, women and children from some border villages are moving to safer areas,” said a local man in Ponnagyun Township.

Residents from Hsininngyi, Hngetgyikyun, Kywehtoe, Padetha and Tabethlan villages in Ponnagyun Township have also been displaced.

On January 27, the regime reportedly carried out at least six airstrikes on a public internet access point in Phetkhwetseik Village in Ponnagyun Township.

On the evening of January 28, a junta jet fighter attacked Thaekhon Village in Pauktaw Township, spreading fear among residents of Myayngu Island.

“The regime conducted an airstrike on Thaekhon Village yesterday. The sound was deafening. There were no casualties as the village was already deserted, but we do not know the extent of the damage to the houses. We live in constant fear of the shelling, especially at night,” said a local woman.

Thousands of residents from Thaekhon, Yartaik, Gyinchaung and Chaungwa villages on Myayngu Island remain displaced.

In an effort to prevent the fall of Sittwe, the military regime has targeted the three neighboring townships since early 2025, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

After a brief lull in fighting between the regime and the Arakan Army in Sittwe Township since January 13, the regime resumed its offensive operations on January 24.