Hundreds of villagers near Sittwe-Ponnagyun border forced to flee

By Admin 19 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

19 August 2025, Sittwe

Residents of more than 20 villages near the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border have been forced to evacuate to safer areas due to fears of further fighting between Myanmar's military regime and the Arakan Army (AA).

The residents of villages such as Baungdula, Kywehtoe, Balimaw, Aidin, Dabethlan, Hngetgyigon, Hsin Inn Gyi, Padetha and Alechaung had to urgently evacuate to nearby townships.

Locals say many of the villagers had fled fighting during the battle for control of Ponnagyun last year, and are now fleeing again after returning due to food shortages.

"The situation looks like it will be a fierce battle, so the villagers are fleeing. Now the military regime is firing heavy weapons at villages on this side from Sittwe, and is preparing and reinforcing troops in Sittwe, so we are afraid for our safety," said a man familiar with the situation.

Locals are concerned about their security as the military regime has been firing artillery and conducting drone reconnaissance in areas along the border between Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships.

Locals say the Arakan Army is on a war footing with the regime's military bases on the other side of Sittwe, so fierce fighting could break out at any time.

"At night, we see a lot of drones flying from the direction of Sittwe. The villagers say they are reconnaissance drones. We feel anxious when we see drones. We worry that they will drop bombs from drones. We also hear heavy weapons firing frequently, so we are afraid," said a local woman in Ponnagyun.

The military regime has been expanding its naval force in recent days, and according to local residents, more than 10 warships are moving along the Kaladan River estuary, including at Sittwe's View Point beach and the surrounding seas.

A military source said that while there has been no offensive fighting between the military regime and the Arakan Army, there have been signs of military activity by the former.

"Currently, there is only heavy artillery fire, but both sides are fully prepared. The military regime has also increased its naval strength and warships are moving up and down near Sittwe and at Shwe Min Gan port," the military source said.

The military regime destroyed the Minchaung Bridge on the Yangon-Sittwe highway in February 2024, hindering AA offensives.

The AA seized control of Ponnagyun Township in March 2024. The AA has captured 14 of Arakan State's 17 townships, leaving the military regime with control over only Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung.