Heavy fighting near junta-held Sittwe fuels fear as frontlines approach city

By Admin 12 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 October 2026, Sittwe

Fierce clashes between military junta forces and the Arakan Army are escalating near junta-controlled Sittwe, with heavy fighting reported around Ngapyi Island and near Wahbo and Amyint Kyun villages, according to local sources.

The intensity of the fighting has surpassed previous levels. Artillery units stationed at the No. 12 Police Battalion and military bases near Kandawgyi area in Sittwe are maintaining continuous heavy shelling, heightening panic and anxiety among urban residents.

At around 6 p.m. on October 8, an artillery shell landed inside a forestry compound in front of Alodawpyae Monastery on Airport Road in Sittwe.

"An artillery shell landed near the airport, but because it failed to explode, no casualties were reported," a female resident of Sittwe said. "However, the sound of heavy artillery explosions and gunfire can be clearly heard across the city."

Junta military units in Sittwe are providing continuous artillery barrages and air support for attacks targeting Thelkhon Village and Ngapyi Island in Werathani Township.

Meanwhile, the Arakan Army has captured Wahbo Island and launched counteroffensives from Gantgaw Island toward areas near the junta's Regional Operations Command, bringing active combat zones closer to the state capital.

"At night, the sound of heavy artillery is intense, and shells have even landed inside city neighborhoods," another female resident of Sittwe said. "With constant bombardment throughout the day, residents are living in constant fear."

Despite the proximity of armed clashes and incoming artillery strikes in urban areas, junta authorities have instructed civil servants and government departments to maintain regular office attendance.

On the morning of October 9, the Arakan State Hluttaw convened a parliamentary session in Sittwe.

During the session, U Ba San, a state MP representing Rathedaung Township Constituency No. 2, submitted a starred question proposing the formation of a committee including historians to officially define and approve the flag and seal of Arakan State.

Under a complete junta-imposed blockade cutting off all land and sea transportation routes into Sittwe, the sharp escalation in military operations has driven commodity prices to extremely high levels, causing severe hardship for local residents.

"Residents in Sittwe are growing increasingly unsettled in recent days," a male resident said. "As fighting intensifies, people are weighing their options on where to flee. However, poorer families have nowhere left to run."

In response to the advancing frontlines, junta forces have reinforced security posts and deployed additional troops along Sittwe's coastal waterfront areas, including Kyaytaw and Shwepyar wards and BXT Port.

The military regime launched Operation 4926 on September 4, targeting Ponnagyun Township. However, the Arakan Army's defensive tactics and counteroffensives disrupted the junta's advance, forcing troops to relinquish several strategic outposts.

The frontlines continue to move steadily closer to the center of Sittwe.