Narinjara News, May 10, 2025

Residents of Sittwe reported that while clashes between the two groups – AA and Junta – had ceased for months, they experienced heavy artillery fire once more yesterday.

A resident of Sittwe reported that on the night of May 8, loud artillery blasts were detected coming from the Shwe Min Gan Naval Base towards the Sittwe Regional Command (RCC).

"I learned about 10 rounds yesterday. I believe they were aimed at Pauk Taw township. Or in the direction of the Thaekhon village. I have no idea where they ended up. "I haven't heard heavy artillery fire in months, but I heard it clearly yesterday," he stated.

Thaekhon village is located in Pauk Taw Township, on the eastern bank of the Kaladan River, opposite Sittwe.

Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, is one of the three cities in Rakhine that the Arakan Army has not taken over, and clashes have been taking place on the outskirts of Sittwe in recent months.

A town resident shared with Narinjara News her concerns about the resurgence of fighting due to the booming sounds of artillery.

"I am unable to sleep at night due to the constant artillery fire. If something happens, I cannot flee to another location in the town. If I step outside, the junta authorities will arrest me. That's what concerns me," she stated.

Since the ceasefire was announced by three brotherhood alliances, including the Arakan Army (AA), there had been no artillery shelling in April.

On February 7, the AA started shelling various military council positions near Sittwe and subsequently initiated assaults on several outposts in the area.

The military council also retaliated with counterattacks and assaults, leading to regular exchanges of gunfire.

Although the conflict between AA and junta troops ceased for a month in April, artillery fire has been reported again from the edges of Sittwe.