Border News Agency
Rathedaung, September 5
Residents have confirmed that the junta is attempting to launch an amphibious landing in Ah Ngu Maw, Rathedaung Township, which is controlled by the Arakha Army (AA).
Residents said the junta is conducting coordinated ground, naval, and air attacks to clear the way before attempting to land and establish a foothold in Ah Ngu Maw and recapture the area.
On September 4, junta naval warships shelled Ah Ngu Maw in Rathedaung Township, with some artillery shells landing inside the village. Residents were forced to flee to safer areas, according to locals.
“The navy is firing a lot of artillery. They are also firing heavily from Sittwe. Artillery shells have landed inside the village. The villagers have already fled and taken shelter elsewhere. The military is trying to launch another landing operation in Ah Ngu Maw. If the military manages to establish a foothold on the shore, the entire Mayu coast will become difficult to defend,” a resident of Ah Ngu Maw told Border News Agency.
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 the area between Kyet Yoe Seik and Nyaung Pin Gyi villages in Moe Sei Kan, Rathedaung Township.
Residents said that on September 4, the junta also carried out intense coordinated ground, naval, and air attacks in areas around the borders of Rathedaung and Sittwe townships.
Residents said the attacks appeared to be part of the junta’s attempt 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 was being fired from seven junta artillery positions in Sittwe, while junta warships were also providing artillery support.
The AA also reported that two junta tanks were firing artillery.
Military observers said the junta’s heavy use of air support and coordinated ground, naval, and air attacks appeared to be preparations for a counteroffensive, while some of the airstrikes had reportedly caused significant impacts.
Residents of Maungdaw said the coordinated attacks around Sittwe were among the most intense fighting they had heard, with the sounds reaching Maungdaw town.
“We are hearing extremely heavy shelling from southern Maungdaw and the Ah Ngu Maw area. We can clearly hear the sounds of aircraft approaching and bombs being dropped. The ground itself is shaking. We could hear the fighting until dawn. It sounded as if they had been fighting throughout the entire night,” a Maungdaw resident told Border News Agency.
Residents said the junta is attempting to launch amphibious operations and establish footholds not only in Ah Ngu Maw and along the Mayu coast in Rathedaung Township, but also along the Moe Sei Kan coast. As a result, villages near the coast are reportedly carrying out emergency evacuations.
The Arakan National League has therefore issued a warning and urged people to exercise particular caution regarding junta attacks in towns and villages, including coastal areas and areas 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.
