7 Junta Soldiers and 3 ALP Members Flee with Weapons in Sittwe

News January 16, 2026

As fierce clashes continue between the Arakan Army and the junta forces near Sittwe, it has been learned that 7 junta soldiers and 3 members of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) fled with weapons and ammunition on January 12.

The 10 individuals in total—7 junta soldiers and 3 ALP members—reportedly fled while on night security duty in the Shwemingan quarter of Sittwe.

Similarly, it has been reported that three junta soldiers from Police Battalion 36 also fled around 10:00 PM on January 14.

In a related incident, on the evening of January 6, 7 junta soldiers and 4 police officers from Sittwe-based Police Battalion 36 fled.

Previously, on January 4, it was also learned that 2 junta soldiers from Battalion 36 fled with their weapons.

While it is possible that they have surrendered and defected to the Arakan Army, the Arakan Army has not yet issued any statement regarding them.

Currently, the Arakan Army has seized two outposts near the Sittwe-based Regional Operations Command (ROC).

It has been reported that since clashes intensified between the Arakan Army and junta forces in Sittwe from late December 2024, junta soldiers, facing significant losses, have been fleeing consecutively out of fear.

source@arakanbaynews