Narinjara News, 21 January 2025 

The Arakan Army (AA) released a statement on January 20, 2025, describing the continuous conflict and the military conditions in various parts of Arakan, encompassing areas bordering the Arakan mountains, along with Sittwe, Ann, and Ayeyarwady. 

Areas with Continued Combat 

Clashes between the military junta and the Arakan Army have escalated near the borders of Arakan-Bago, Arakan-Magway, Arakan-Ayeyarwady, and the Arakan mountains-Ayeyarwady regions. 

Situation in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung Towns in Arakan State 

In the three main towns still governed by the military junta in the Arakan region—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—the junta has persistently carried out strikes on Sittwe and its vicinity. These assaults have involved artillery bombardment, small weapons discharge, drones, sharpshooters, regular airstrikes, and naval bombardments. Airstrikes, along with drone strikes, have become more common. 

Situation in Sittwe 

At 1:12 pm on January 20, 2025, the military junta initiated a drone attack from Kant Kaw Kyun village in Sittwe Township targeting Wah Bo village across the way, leading to the demolition of multiple civilian residences. 

Photo by AA

Clashes in the Bago, Magway, and Ayeyarwady Regions 

After the military junta pulled back from its bases in the Western Command and the towns of Ann, Taunggyi, and Gwa, clashes between junta troops and the Arakan Army have further escalated in the Arakan mountains and at the borders of Arakan-Bago, Arakan-Magway, Arakan-Ayeyarwady, and the Arakan mountains-Ayeyarwady. 

Clashes in Ayeyarwady Region 

Conflicts persisted in multiple locations along the Arakan-Ayeyarwady Region border, including Point-369 hill and close to Chin Su village in Yegyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region. 

Combat in the Arakan Mountains in Ann 

Clashes have persisted for more than a week around the villages of Ka Myin Kan (Kan Myint Kan), Pain Yae San, and Kyet Yae San in Ann Township, along the Ann-Padan route. This area has witnessed exchanges that are both offensive and defensive. 

Beginning January 11, 2025, confrontations have occurred between the Arakan Army and opposing battalions, which include soldiers from Divisions 88 and 99, alongside KaPaSa Magway. 

The opposing troops have carried out several attacks on the AA but have been forced to pull back each time, incurring significant losses. 

Throughout this week of combat, numerous enemy corpses were discovered, along with weapons, ammunition, and military gear that were confiscated. Some prisoners of war were also taken captive. 

According to the statement, from January 13 to 19, 2025, amidst the clashes in the villages of Ka Myin Kan (Kan Myint Kan), Pain Yae San, and Kyet Yae San in Ann Township, the AA acquired weapons, ammunition, and military gear; took prisoners of war; and found multiple enemy corpses.