Border News Agency
Sittwe, September 5
Residents have confirmed that intense fighting and shelling continued throughout the night from September 4 until dawn on September 5 in areas surrounding Sittwe Township, where the Arakha Army (AA) is conducting an offensive.
Residents in Maungdaw said they could hear heavy artillery fire and airstrikes throughout the night from the Rathedaung Township, Ah Ngu Maw, and Moe Sei Kan areas surrounding Sittwe. The sounds of explosions and aircraft were reportedly heard continuously.
“We could hear the artillery fire only seconds apart. The explosions were extremely loud throughout the night. We could hear aircraft approaching and the sounds of bombs being dropped very clearly. They continued firing throughout the night. Even when the shelling stopped for a short while, it started again. We could hear it very loudly from the southern part of Maungdaw,” a Maungdaw resident told Border News Agency.
On September 4, junta navy warships shelled Ah Ngu Maw in Rathedaung Township, with some shells landing inside villages, according to residents. Local civilians were reportedly forced to flee to safer areas.
The Arakha Army reported that four junta fighter jets carried out approximately 30 bombing attacks within 30 minutes, beginning at around 1:35 p.m. on September 3, targeting an area between Kyet Yoe Seik and Nyaung Pin Gyi villages in Moe Sei Kan, Rathedaung Township.
Residents also said that on September 4, the junta carried out intense coordinated attacks using ground, naval, and air forces in areas around the border of Rathedaung and Sittwe townships.
Residents said the junta appeared to be attempting to launch a counteroffensive through coordinated ground, naval, and air operations.
“The military is heavily shelling areas that it had not attacked before. We can hear the sounds continuously. It is like the whole world is collapsing. They are firing from everywhere. Fighter jets are also carrying out bombing attacks. The ground itself was shaking. I think the military is fighting to launch a counteroffensive,” a Rathedaung resident told Border News Agency.
The Arakha Army reported that artillery fire was being launched from seven junta artillery positions in Sittwe, while junta naval vessels were also firing artillery.
The AA also reported that two junta tanks were firing artillery.
The junta is reportedly attempting to recapture Ponnagyun Township by advancing from the Min Chaung Bridge and establishing a foothold. It is also attempting to land and establish positions along the waterways, while residents of villages in Ponnagyun Township near Sittwe Township are being forced to evacuate urgently, according to local residents.
The Arakan National League has issued warnings and urged people to remain especially vigilant about attacks by the junta in towns and villages, including coastal areas and along riverbanks.
Ground-based military sources said the junta is also attempting to launch counteroffensives through amphibious operations in townships including Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Thandwe, and Gwa.
