Airstrikes hit four towns in Rakhine State as Myanmar military counteroffensive falters

Retaliatory airstrikes were carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on four villages under Arakan Army (AA) control in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, as well as in Kyaukphyu, Thandwe and Ponnagyun townships on Tuesday. No casualties were reported by either side. A 200-troop regime counteroffensive against the AA along the 14-mile (22 km) road connecting Awataung and Sa Ne villages began on Sept. 4. The villages in Kyaukphyu are located near the China-backed deep sea port project 317 miles (510 km) south of Sittwe. Regime forces are “on the retreat” in Kyaukphyu, according to residents. The battle over Sittwe and Kyaukphyu between the AA and regime forces began in February 2025. The Myanmar Air Force carried out retaliatory airstrikes to support regime forces during fighting in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, but no casualties were reported. Both cities have been under regime control since the 2021 military coup. At least one woman was killed and three other civilians were injured by two regime airstrikes in Thandwe Township on Sept. 7. Thandwe, located 160 miles (260 km) south of Sittwe, was seized by the AA in 2024. Thousands of residents living in 20 villages, located in Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships, told DVB that they have been displaced from their homes since Sept. 4 due to airstrikes and artillery attacks on AA-controlled territory. No casualties have been reported. Ponnagyun and Rathedaung, located 20-30 miles (32-48 km) north of Sittwe, were also seized by the AA in 2024. A source close to the AA told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the regime counteroffensive has suffered “heavy casualties” during fighting with the AA in Ponnagyun since Sept. 4. One school and one home were destroyed in retaliatory airstrikes in Phatkya village on Sept. 7. No casualties were reported as civilians deserted the village before the airstrikes occurred. Over 1,000 regime troops arrived in Sittwe in mid-August, which allowed them to launch the ground attack on Ponnagyun, according to residents. The AA has seized 14 out of Arakan’s 17 townships, as well as neighboring Chin State’s Paletwa Township, since it launched a statewide offensive on Nov. 13, 2023. It has expanded its offensive into neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions in 2025. Besides Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, Manaung is the only other township under regime control in the state.