According to local sources, the Arakan Army (AA) launched an attack on a military council camp stationed at Kauk Kaut Island village in Sittwe Township, Rakhine State, during the last week of May. The attack occurred during heavy rainfall when military council troops were caught off guard, with AA forces conducting a night raid. During the operation, two armored military vehicles were destroyed by fire.
Kauk Kaut Island village is located just over a mile from the military council’s Regional Command Headquarters (Sittwe) on the bank of a tributary of the Kaladan River. The military council has forcibly evacuated residents from approximately twenty villages in the area to establish permanent military camps. At Kauk Kaut Island, they maintained a force of over two hundred troops along with armored vehicles. A major military council guard post is also situated on the opposite bank of Kauk Kaut Island.
The battle resulted in hundreds of military council troop casualties, with the wounded being treated at Sittwe Hospital and military field hospitals. Local residents confirmed that decomposing bodies of fallen military council soldiers are producing strong odors that reach Sittwe city when the wind blows in that direction. AA continues to conduct surprise attacks on military council outposts, ambush military columns, and carry out sniper operations near Sittwe.
The military council has expanded its camps around Sittwe city, laying landmines and frequently conducting artillery strikes toward Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung areas. They also conduct aerial attacks and naval patrols, particularly along the Kaladan and Mayu rivers up to Padali Port and Minchaungtaw Bridge. In Sittwe, the military council maintains a significant presence including the Regional Command Headquarters, Infantry Battalions 20, 232, 270, Light Infantry Battalions 344, 354, engineering units, artillery units, and more than ten police battalions.
