Two fishing boats destroyed as Myanmar military intensifies activity around Sittwe

Myanmar’s military has intensified its attacks near the Rakhine State capital Sittwe, with naval vessels, artillery, and drones being used in areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), according to local residents and sources close to the armed group. On Wednesday, two military naval vessels detained nine Rohingya fishermen and destroyed their two fishing boats on West Pharanga Island in Pauktaw Township, sources told Myanmar Now. A resident of Pauktaw said the naval vessels pursued the boats while they were fishing offshore near the villages of Soe Mae Kyi and Kalarthein. They also fired on the villages with heavy artillery, but no casualties were reported, the resident said. The boats belonged to Rohingya fishermen from Sin Tat Maw, a village on Middle Pahyonka Island, and had been fishing in the area since Monday, according to the sources. A source close to the AA said the nine fishermen were beaten and detained. They were taken to Kyaukphyu Township and released at about 1am on Thursday, he said. The source said the military also took fishing equipment, including about 100 nets and 1,000 fishing spears, as well as solar panels, batteries, rice, cooking oil, and salt, before burning the boats. Myanmar Now could not independently verify the accounts. Residents said junta warships have been moving along the coast between Sittwe and Kyaukphyu and have repeatedly detained fishing boats, raising concerns among fishermen who rely on the area for their livelihoods. On September 8, a fishing motorboat from Kyun Thar Yar, a village in Myebon Township, was set on fire on the Myebon River and a fisherman was arrested, according to local sources. A naval vessel inspecting local boats near Sittwe in March 2023 (Photo: Myanmar Now) The incidents come as Myanmar’s military seeks to regain territory it has lost to the AA, which has seized control of most of Rakhine State since launching a major offensive in late 2023. Fighting has been reported northeast of the state capital, as the military attempts to advance from Sittwe into AA-controlled Ponnagyun Township, according to local sources. There have also been reports of clashes near the village of Ah Wa Taung and the Taung Maw Oo naval base near Sane in Kyaukphyu Township. The military has carried out airstrikes in Ponnagyun in recent days, while aircraft were also reported bombing areas of Mrauk-U Township on Thursday. Details of casualties and damage were not immediately available. Military artillery has also been striking villages along the Mayu River in Rathedaung Township, according to residents. People from the affected villages have fled to safer areas, they said. Pro-junta social media accounts have circulated videos claiming that a drone operation dubbed “Operation 4926” is underway in Ponnagyun and Kyaukphyu and that Sane Bridge has been captured by regime forces. The claims could not be independently verified, and the military has not released any official statement. The AA has warned civilians in areas under its administration to remain alert because of continuing artillery and drone attacks. The AA controls 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, while the regime still holds Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships.

Two fishing boats destroyed as Myanmar military intensifies activity around Sittwe

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