Border News Agency
Ponnagyun, September 13.
The Arakan Army (AA) is launching a counteroffensive in an effort to advance toward and capture Sittwe, which remains under the control of the Myanmar military, while the military is simultaneously attempting to retake Ponnagyun Township, currently controlled by the AA, according to ground-based military sources.
Heavy fighting has been reported near villages including Sapa Hhar, Ain Din, Kwan Taung, Aung Myay Kone, and Khamoung Taw in Ponnagyun Township. The Myanmar military has been conducting combined ground, naval, and air attacks in an attempt to clear the way and retake the area.
The AA, meanwhile, is reportedly launching a large-scale counteroffensive against the military’s attacks and attempting to establish positions and advance toward Sittwe Township, according to ground-based military sources.
“The AA is also reinforcing its ammunition, weapons, and troops and launching a counteroffensive. It is trying to penetrate areas where the military is weaker. The reciprocal offensives by both sides are extremely intense. Both sides have also begun using large numbers of drones,” a ground-based military source told Border News Agency.
Because casualties are reportedly mounting on both sides, both forces are continuing to send reinforcements. Ground sources said that drone units on both sides are receiving particular attention in the reinforcement efforts.
During the fighting in Ponnagyun, the Myanmar military has reportedly been using large numbers of suicide drones and FPV drones, while the AA has also reinforced its drone units and launched counterattacks, according to ground sources.
The fighting in Ponnagyun has continued almost continuously for nearly ten days, with clashes taking place day after day.
Military observers familiar with the situation on the ground said casualties on both sides could number in the hundreds and suggested that the side capable of deploying the largest number of troops and sustaining the highest level of losses could ultimately gain the upper hand.
Ground sources also reported that the Myanmar military has been conducting intense airstrikes against locations believed to be AA rear positions and important logistical support areas.
“The military carried out airstrikes against some locations around Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, and Mrauk-U. They came after 1 a.m., while people were sleeping. We kept hearing very loud sounds, followed by repeated explosions,” a ground-based military source told Border News Agency.
Fighting has also intensified in areas along the Ponnagyun–Sittwe boundary, where both sides are attempting to establish and hold strategic positions. Ground sources said clashes have continued day after day as both sides seek to gain footholds in key locations.
The Myanmar military has reportedly deployed at least five columns in its effort to establish a foothold and retake Ponnagyun Township. Ground sources said the main offensive is advancing along the Sittwe–Yangon highway from Min Chaung Bridge toward Kwan Taung village, with significant reinforcements 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, it is conducting heavy offensives against villages including Aung Myay Kone and Khamoung Taw, according to ground-based military sources.
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 personnel positioned in defensive frontline bunkers.
Ground sources said the Myanmar military is relying heavily on its advantage in combined ground, naval, and air firepower, while also deploying large numbers of drones. They warned that the high number of casualties could contribute to a prolonged conflict.
Military observers have suggested that if the Myanmar military succeeds in establishing a foothold in Ponnagyun Township, it could use the area to launch a further offensive toward Kyauktaw Township and then advance toward Paletwa Township. They described this as a strategic effort to clear and control the route of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
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 the project route.
