Border News Agency
Sittwe, October 9.
Fighting has intensified as Myanmar’s military junta launches an offensive against Ngapi Island, located in the middle of the Kaladan River and currently controlled by the Arakha Army (AA).
The island is situated near the mouth of the Kaladan River and holds strategic importance for controlling the river corridor. The junta is conducting a combined offensive involving ground, naval and air forces.
“They approached the island with four landing craft and three combat vessels. They slowed down and began firing when they were still some distance from Ngapi Island. The AA returned fire with heavy weapons available to them. The exchange of fire was extremely intense,” a source familiar with frontline military developments told Border News Agency.
As seven junta naval vessels advanced toward Ngapi Island, the military provided air support. However, the AA reportedly managed to hit one landing craft and one combat vessel with heavy weapons.
“While both sides were exchanging fire with heavy weapons and machine guns, the junta provided air support using Y-12 aircraft and fighter jets. Artillery units from Sittwe also fired in support. Despite this, the AA managed to hit two naval vessels. Some junta soldiers aboard the vessels may have been killed,” the frontline source told Border News Agency.
Ngapi Island is home to two villages and is located approximately 1.25 miles from the junta navy base at Shwe Min Gan in Sittwe Township. Its proximity to the base poses a strategic threat to the junta’s naval position.
The Arakha Army has also established positions approximately one mile from the Shwe Min Gan naval base, putting junta forces in Sittwe Township under military pressure.
