by Hafizur Rahman
Arakan State, 4 September 2026: Fighting resumed between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar junta forces along the Sittwe–Ponnagyun front on Friday morning, with both sides reportedly exchanging heavy artillery and drone attacks.
Development Media Group (DMG), citing military sources and local residents, reported that clashes began early on 4 September along the boundary between Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships.
Junta forces reportedly used heavy artillery, multiple rocket launchers and drones, while the AA responded with heavy weapons and drones. Small-arms fire was also reported on the ground.
Residents in Ponnagyun said they heard sustained artillery and gunfire from around 5 a.m. until later in the morning.
The renewed fighting followed junta airstrikes on 3 September that reportedly targeted seven villages across Sittwe, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships.
The clashes mark a renewed escalation on the Sittwe front after a relative lull in major ground fighting since late July.
The AA controls Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships around Sittwe and has continued to apply military pressure on the junta-held state capital.
The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) also issued a fresh warning on 3 September urging residents to remain alert to possible aerial and naval attacks as military tensions increase.
Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify battlefield claims from either side.
