Two Myanmar Navy vessels were hit by artillery fired by the Arakan Army (AA) from a village in Pauktaw Township, Arakan State, on Wednesday. Pauktaw is located 15 miles (24 km) east of the state capital Sittwe. “We saw smoke rising from the two damaged vessels from a distance,” a local source in Pauktaw told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
No casualties were reported and the extent of the damage was unclear. The naval vessels were patrolling coastal waters from Sittwe to Kyaukphyu and have been attempting to land troops in Pauktaw, Thandwe, Gwa, Ramree and Myebon townships, residents told DVB.
At least eight civilians were killed during airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on two internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Arakan’s Ponnagyun Township, located 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Sittwe and 12 miles (19 km) north of Pauktaw, on Oct. 4-5.
The AA has seized 14 of Araka’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State since launching its most recent offensive on Nov. 13, 2023. It expanded this offensive into neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions in 2025.
The regime controls Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung.
