Junta battalions in Sittwe shell Pauktaw with heavy artillery

By Admin 23 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

23 May 2026, Sittwe

The regime has been firing heavy artillery from Arakan State capital Sittwe into Pauktaw Township in recent days.

According to local residents, junta battalions based in Sittwe and Myanmar Navy warships stationed at the mouth of the Kaladan River have been firing heavy weapons since May 21 toward Anauk Phayonekar Island in Pauktaw Township, an area controlled by the Arakan Army.

“We heard the loud sounds of heavy weapon fire at night. The shells did not land on our side, but because the explosions were so loud, we did not dare to sleep and had to remain sitting awake,” a resident of Pauktaw Township said.

The artillery shells reportedly landed and exploded in and around Thaekhon, Minte, and Gyinchaung villages in Pauktaw Township, located across the river from Sittwe.

Residents said the regime forces have repeatedly carried out artillery attacks on those areas in the past.

“More than 10 artillery shells were fired, and they landed near Thaekhon Village. Since local residents had already fled the conflict area, there were no civilian casualties. Junta battalions in Sittwe have frequently fired heavy artillery toward Thaekhon Village before as well,” a military source on the ground said.

The regime has also been conducting artillery attacks, airstrikes, and kamikaze drone attacks on Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships bordering Sittwe Township.

Military tensions remain high between junta troops and the Arakan Army around regime-controlled Sittwe, and the regime has reportedly reinforced its troop presence in the town.

The regime has tightened security in Sittwe by constructing new fences at the town’s entry and exit points, around military compounds, and near military bases.

To prevent possible Arakan Army offensives into Sittwe, the regime has also installed barbed-wire barriers and fencing along Strand Road and near Viewpoint Beach.