Battle for Sittwe flares up as AA advances from Ponnagyun

While the regime amplifies its drone offensive to breach northern Ponnagyun Township, the AA’s counter-offensives seizes three villages and makes advances into junta-controlled Sittwe. The Arakan Army (AA) has been seizing villages under junta control and expanding its territory around Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. The advances have restricted access to Sittwe city, prompting residents to flee. The AA’s push into Sittwe aims to increase pressure on the junta forces. The regime has been attempting to halt the AA’s advance using drones and artillery, but intense fighting continues. The conflict has also caused damage to infrastructure in and around Sittwe, raising humanitarian concerns.