Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, 16 January 2025 

On January 16, artillery shells launched by the Sittwe-based junta's 12th Police Battalion and naval ships struck Sa Par Htar village in Ponnagyun Township, leading to the destruction of nine houses. 

The junta bombarded Wah Bo village in Sittwe Township and also targeted nearby villages in both Sittwe and Ponnagyun Townships. Local inhabitants stated that shells struck and exploded in Sa Par Htar village, resulting in considerable destruction. 

"The junta troops bombarded throughout the morning, and I believe they persisted until midday. Shells landed on Wah Bo, Kywe Htoe, Aung Zeya, and Sa Par Htar villages. Nine houses were set ablaze in Sa Par Htar," a local resident from Ponnagyun, close to the administration, reported.

The resident stated that the junta carried out airstrikes early on January 16, after reports indicated that the Arakan Army (AA) had taken control of Wah Bo village in Sittwe Township. The airstrikes were succeeded by artillery fire in the vicinity of Wah Bo village. 

Furthermore, residents of Sittwe indicated that a shell discharged by navy ships anchored in the Kaladan River detonated in the river close to the Sittwe Myoma market. 

"They were bombing near Ponnagyun. I believe it missed the target and landed in the river midway. It was a fortunate occurrence. If it had dropped in the market as it did before, I would have perished," stated Kaman, a local vendor in Sittwe. 

Since December, conflicts between junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) have escalated in multiple villages of Sittwe Township, increasing military tensions and raising concerns among local inhabitants trapped in Sittwe City. 

"This is not a gunfire exchange. It’s the junta troops shooting from inside the city. Community members are concerned about what will occur next. Today, we heard artillery fire and aerial bombardments. We're worried about what could occur during the night," stated a male inhabitant of Kone Tan ward, Sittwe. 

In Sittwe, where military tensions are rising on both fronts, the military junta is strengthening its defenses and has enhanced security in the city relative to earlier. 

The Arakan Army (AA) has taken over 14 townships in Arakan State and the entire Paletwa area, leaving only Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships yet to be captured. 

Image: The village of Ye Yoe Pyin in Ponnagyun Township was set ablaze by junta troops on the afternoon of December 3, 2023.