Border News Agency
Ponnagyun, September 9.
Fighting is continuing in Ponnagyun Township, which is controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), as the Myanmar military is trying to retake the township. Ground sources say there have been heavy casualties on both sides.
The Myanmar military has been using combined ground, naval and air attacks to clear the way and try to retake areas around Ponnagyun Township. As a result, fighting in the township has become intense.
Ground sources said that when Myanmar military troops advanced toward AA outposts near Kwan Taung Village in Ponnagyun Township, the AA used a large number of troops to launch a strong counterattack.
As a result, both sides suffered many casualties. Both sides are also sending additional troops to the area. Ground military sources warn that the fighting could become even more intense and that the number of casualties could increase.
“The military is launching a major offensive using a large number of troops. It is also trying to use ground, naval and air forces together with heavy firepower. The AA has had to withdraw from some positions. When it sent reinforcements and attacked those positions again, both sides suffered many casualties. The fighting is likely to become more intense. There will probably be many casualties on both sides. However, more soldiers from the attacking Myanmar military side are being killed,” a ground source told Border News Agency.
The AA said that four houses were destroyed when the Myanmar military carried out an airstrike on Fet Kya Village in Ponnagyun Township at around 9:30 a.m. on September 7.
Neither the AA nor the Myanmar military has yet released an official statement about the fighting in Ponnagyun Township.
However, pro-military social media accounts have posted images claiming to show bodies of AA members and weapons and ammunition allegedly seized from the AA.
Those accounts have also posted reports showing Myanmar military forces using drones to attack AA members who are defending frontline positions in areas known as the Puzun-ta areas.
Ground sources said the Myanmar military is mainly using its advantage in combined ground, naval and air firepower in the Ponnagyun fighting. The military is also using a large number of drones. Because of this, both sides have already suffered significant casualties, and the fighting could continue for a long time.
“The supporters and propaganda media of both sides are reporting the situation as if their own side has the advantage. But on the actual battlefield, soldiers from both sides are being killed and wounded in large numbers. They are firing so heavily that it is like bullets are raining down. Both sides are suffering heavy casualties, and both sides are sending more troops. The fighting could continue for a long time,” another ground source told Border News Agency.
Ground sources said artillery positions operated by the Myanmar military in Sittwe and naval warships are providing artillery support. The AA is also using artillery against Myanmar military positions.
In addition, the Myanmar military has been carrying out heavy airstrikes. It is reportedly attacking locations believed to contain AA artillery positions, as well as villages.
As a result, the fighting could spread to a wider area, and civilians could face greater risks and losses, according to ground sources.
Military observers have also warned that new fronts could emerge. They urged local residents to remain alert and make preparations in advance in case the fighting spreads.
Military observers said that artillery shells have already been landing in some areas of Sittwe, which remains under Myanmar military control, including near the town’s Basic Education High School. They warned that nearby townships could also face heavy airstrikes.
“When fighting starts, both sides will fire at each other. Each side will use whatever weapons or advantages it has to try to win. If the AA uses artillery, the military will likely respond with airstrikes. The most important thing is that civilians living near the fighting should remain alert and take precautions,” military observers said.
The Myanmar military is continuing its heavy offensive against Ponnagyun Township, while the AA is putting up strong resistance. Fighting therefore remains intense, with artillery exchanges and drone attacks occurring daily. In addition, the Myanmar military has been carrying out airstrikes, causing civilian areas and civilians to be affected.
As a result, people in areas including Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya could face more consequences from the fighting, according to sources.
