By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Fighting has intensified around Myanmar Navy bases in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu after the Arakan Army (AA) claimed it was nearing full control of Rakhine State.
Residents reported heavy artillery exchanges between AA fighters and junta naval forces positioned in the Bay of Bengal and along the Kaladan River near Sittwe. Clashes have also been reported around the Shwe Min Gan naval support base and a military position near Kyar Ma Thauk village north of Sittwe.
Locals said fighting has continued for more than a week, with artillery fire frequently heard during the night.
“At night we hear constant shelling. The AA is attacking from multiple directions,” a resident told The Irrawaddy.
According to local accounts, at least one naval vessel was reportedly hit during recent clashes, forcing junta warships to remain farther offshore and reduce operations along the river.
The AA has reportedly captured several outposts near Shwe Min Gan since the beginning of the year and continues to advance toward junta positions.
Residents said airstrikes by the Myanmar military periodically interrupted the fighting.
Shwe Min Gan serves as a key naval installation on the Kaladan River near the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border area, while Kyar Ma Thauk lies close to the junta’s Regional Operations Command in Sittwe.
In Sittwe’s Pyi Taw Thar ward, residents said the military had strengthened defences along river routes leading into the town by constructing bunkers and laying landmines.
“It appears they are preparing for a siege,” a local resident said.
Heavy fighting has also been reported in Kyaukphyu Township, home to several Chinese-backed infrastructure projects. Local sources said AA fighters intercepted regime troops moving from the Taung Maw Oo naval base toward Sanae town.
Sources close to the AA claimed that dozens of junta soldiers, including a captain, were killed during clashes between May 29 and June 1 near the naval base.
The offensive has reportedly pushed regime troops back toward the Taung Maw Oo naval base, which is supported by the 11th Light Infantry Division and the Danyawaddy Naval Headquarters.
Residents said some military officers and their families had been evacuated by boat to Kyaukphyu town, while reinforcements from Infantry Battalion 34 were being deployed to the area.
Relief groups reported that the military had carried out drone and gyrocopter strikes on villages near the Taung Maw Oo base.
Humanitarian volunteers said more than 8,000 civilians had fled the fighting in Kyaukphyu and were in urgent need of food and shelter.
“The number of displaced people is increasing every day. We are supporting them through donations from Rakhine communities inside and outside the country,” a volunteer said.
The AA currently controls 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, along with neighbouring Paletwa township in Chin state.
AA commander-in-chief Twan Mrat Naing has pledged to capture the remaining junta-held townships of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung by 2027.