Military column advancing from Shwe Min Gan, Sittwe to Punnakyun attacked and suffering losses, with continuous airstrikes

The military column advancing from the Shwe Min Gan naval base in Sittwe Township, Rakhine State, to Punnakyun Township has suffered numerous casualties and deaths in battles with the Arakan Army (AA), leading to continuous airstrikes, according to local residents and military intelligence sources. The military has been launching an offensive, named the "Yan Naing Aung Operation" (or "4926 Operation" according to military supporters), since September 4th, dividing into three columns from units in Sittwe Township towards Punnakyun Township. As the three main columns advanced, the column advancing from the Shwe Min Gan naval base was attacked near Ye Yoe Pyin village at landing sites, resulting in many casualties and deaths, it was learned. "It is known that the column from Shwe Min Gan has suffered many deaths, and even some have surrendered," a source told the Irrawaddy Times. It is understood that the column consisted of approximately 200 soldiers, and in addition to the three main columns, there were two smaller columns, with nearly 1000 troops deployed for the Punnakyun operation. The military is continuing to conduct airstrikes on Kwantaung village and its surrounding areas in Punnakyun Township, as it has suffered losses and is being defeated in ground battles. Today, September 17th, around 7 AM, two jet fighters and Y-12 aircraft bombed Punnakyun, and around 9 AM, four jet fighters continuously bombed the Kwantaung area more than 7 times. In the afternoon, two old military bases in Maungdaw city were also bombed from the air, it was learned. It is reported that more than 100 soldiers, including a battalion commander and a column commander, were killed on the military side during the military's "4926 Operation" from September 4th to 16th. Photo caption: Military personnel of the military government (old photo)