Border News Agency
Ponnagyun, September 13

Heavy fighting continues in Ponnagyun Township, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), as the Myanmar military seeks to retake the area. Ground-based military sources have confirmed that both sides are reinforcing their forces as casualties continue to mount.

Intense clashes have been reported near villages including Sapa Htar, Ain Din, Kwan Taung, Aung Myay Kone, and Khamoung Taw. The Myanmar military has been conducting combined ground, naval, and air attacks, including artillery fire, in an attempt to clear the way and retake the area.

Ground-based military sources said that both sides are continuing to deploy reinforcements because of the high number of casualties.

“The military is providing heavy fire support from Sittwe. The ground shakes when the heavy artillery shells land and explode. There are many casualties on both sides. Reinforcements are being sent by both sides. Both sides are strengthening their forces,” a ground-based military source told Border News Agency.

During the fighting in Ponnagyun, the Myanmar military has reportedly been using large numbers of suicide drones and FPV drones. Ground sources said the military is expending substantial amounts of military equipment and resources, reportedly using as many as one drone for each AA combatant targeted.

The fighting in Ponnagyun has continued almost without interruption for nearly ten days, with clashes occurring day after day. Military observers familiar with the situation on the ground said the number of casualties on both sides could already be in the hundreds. They said the side capable of deploying the largest number of troops and sustaining the highest level of casualties could ultimately gain the upper hand.

“We have noticed that the military has heavily attacked and destroyed AA frontline bunkers and artillery positions. We have also observed that the AA cannot match the military in drone attacks. The AA has the advantage in ground combat, while the military has an advantage in airstrikes and artillery support. That is why we have observed casualties on both sides reaching into the hundreds. In my view, the side that can sustain the greatest number of casualties will win,” a military observer told Border News Agency.

As a result, both sides are reportedly deploying hundreds of additional troops. Military observers said that the growing demand for personnel and other resources is making it increasingly difficult for forces with limited manpower and resources to sustain a prolonged war.

Ground sources said the Myanmar military has deployed at least five columns in an effort to establish positions and retake Ponnagyun Township. The main offensive is reportedly advancing from the Min Chaung Bridge along the Sittwe–Yangon highway toward Kwan Taung village, with substantial reinforcements being committed to the operation.

The military is also reportedly attempting to recapture villages such as Sapathar and Aindin in order to establish a foothold along the Kaladan River. At the same time, heavy offensives are being conducted against villages including Aung Myay Kone and Khamoung Taw, according to ground-based military sources.

On September 11, the Myanmar military reportedly attacked Kyaukseik Village in Ponnagyun Township with an FPV drone, killing a 63-year-old woman who had been displaced by the conflict.

The incident has raised concerns that the military may expand drone attacks beyond Ponnagyun town and target other villages after striking as far as Kyaukseik, according to ground-based military sources.

“The military appears determined to launch an offensive to retake territory along the Yangon–Sittwe highway. As a result, villages on both sides of the highway could become targets. The fact that the drone attack reached Kyaukseik is a serious concern for civilians,” a ground-based military source told Border News Agency.

Neither the Arakan Army nor the Myanmar military has officially released a statement on the fighting in Ponnagyun Township. However, social media accounts associated with Myanmar military propaganda have posted images purportedly showing AA bodies and seized weapons and ammunition.

They have also released footage purportedly showing drone attacks against AA troops positioned in defensive frontline bunkers.

The Myanmar military is reportedly relying heavily on its combined ground, naval, and air capabilities, while also deploying large numbers of drones. Ground-based military sources said the heavy fighting and mounting casualties could cause the conflict to become protracted.

Military observers have further suggested that if the Myanmar military succeeds in establishing a foothold in Ponnagyun Township, it could use the area as a launching point for a further offensive toward Kyauktaw Township, followed by an advance toward Paletwa Township. They described this as a strategy aimed at securing and controlling the route of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project.

Heavy artillery support is reportedly being provided by Myanmar military artillery positions and naval vessels based in Sittwe, while the Arakan Army is also firing artillery, according to ground sources.

In addition, the Myanmar military is reportedly conducting intense airstrikes against locations believed to contain AA artillery positions, as well as against villages. Ground sources warned that the area affected by the fighting could expand and that civilian casualties and suffering could increase.

Military observers have also warned that additional fronts could emerge and urged local residents to remain alert and make advance preparations in case the fighting spreads.

They said parts of Sittwe, which remains under Myanmar military control, including the Basic Education High School and other areas of the city, have reportedly been hit by artillery shells. They also warned that surrounding townships could face intensified airstrikes.

The Myanmar military is conducting a heavy offensive in Ponnagyun Township, while the Arakan Army is mounting strong resistance. As a result, fighting remains intense, with daily exchanges of artillery fire and drone attacks.

Airstrikes by the Myanmar military have also reportedly affected civilian areas and civilians.
Military observers warned that the consequences of the fighting could increasingly affect Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, and Pauktaw, as well as Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya townships.

The Myanmar military continues to control the Sittwe port of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, while the Arakan Army controls the Kaladan River along much of the project route.