A source in the Arakan Army (AA) told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime forces have regained control of Arakan State’s Alel village, one of three on Pauktaw Township’s Ngapyi Island, on Wednesday as fighting continues in Pauktaw and Ponnagyun townships, which are located 20-131 miles (32-210 km) north and east of the state capital Sittwe.
The island lies roughly one nautical mile (1.6 km) east of the regime’s Shwemingan naval base in Sittwe. Khaing Thukha, the AA spokesperson, stated on Oct. 28 that the island remains “firmly” under AA control despite sustained regime airstrikes and naval bombardments since the counteroffensive began.
He claimed that the AA struck three Myanmar Navy vessels near Ngapyi Island and the Shwemingan Naval Base, sinking two of them and inflicting heavy damage on the third, on Oct. 26. No casualty figures have been shared by the AA.
In Ponnagyun, a regime counteroffensive launched on Sept. 4 was scaled up on Oct. 30 with 1,000 additional troops. No casualties have been reported.
The AA seized Pauktaw and Ponnagyun in 2024 after launching its most recent offensive on Nov. 13, 2023 that has seen it gain control over another 12 Arakan townships, as well as neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township, and expanding the frontline into neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions in 2025.
Besides Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung remain under regime control. At least 70 civilians have been killed in 71 airstrikes, including the 50 killed in Kyauktaw Township on Sept. 28, and 32 clashes across the state since the recent counteroffensive began, the Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP-Myanmar) reported on Oct. 9.
Kyauktaw, located 60 miles (96 km) north of Sittwe, was seized by the AA in February 2024.
