Fighting has intensified around the Myanmar Navy’s western bases in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu after the ethnic Arakan Army (AA) declared it was close to seizing all of Rakhine State.

Residents report heavy exchanges of artillery fire between AA forces and regime naval vessels stationed in the Bay of Bengal and the Kaladan River southeast of Sittwe. AA troops are also attacking the Shwe Min Gan naval support base and a military base near Kyar Ma Thauk village, just north of Sittwe, prompting retaliatory shelling from warships.

A Sittwe resident told The Irrawaddy that clashes have continued for more than a week. “At night we hear constant artillery fire. The AA is firing from multiple directions.”

Locals report that at least one naval vessel was hit in recent days, forcing warships to remain offshore and limit their presence in the river. The AA has seized several outposts near Shwe Min Gan since early this year and continues to press attacks.

The News:
https://www.irrawadd … intense-battles.html