Myanmar Military Launches ‘Operation 4926’ in Rakhine Against Arakan Army, Significant Fighting Reported

What happened

According to a report by DVB, Myanmar’s military began a counteroffensive called ‘Operation 4926’ on September 4 targeting the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, which the AA seized in 2024. DVB cites an anonymous AA source who claims at least 100 regime troops have been killed, including two battalion commanders, during the fighting.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The report states that around 1,000 ground troops deployed by the military to Ponnagyun have been supported by artillery and airstrikes conducted by the Myanmar Air Force. Intense fighting was reportedly ongoing as of September 12 between Sittwe and Ponnagyun, with artillery support from military command centers and a naval base in Sittwe.

The military’s counteroffensive allegedly extends across multiple townships including Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Thandwe, with pro-regime social media dubbing the operation by the codename “Operation 4926.” DVB further reports civilian harm in Thandwe where one woman was killed and three others injured in two Air Force airstrikes on September 7, according to the AA.

Known from the source

• The Myanmar military launched a counteroffensive named ‘Operation 4926’ on September 4, targeting the Arakan Army in Rakhine State’s Ponnagyun Township.
• Ponnagyun Township was seized by the Arakan Army in 2024.
• DVB reports at least 100 regime troops killed in fighting since the offensive began, according to an anonymous AA source.
• The military reportedly deployed about 1,000 ground troops supported by artillery and airstrikes during the operation.
• Fighting was ongoing between Sittwe and Ponnagyun as of September 12 with artillery support from military HQs and a naval base in Sittwe.

What remains unclear

The conflict has caused significant displacement, with over 5,000 residents from 10 villages in Kyaukphyu’s Zinchaung and Sa Ne villages reported displaced due to air and drone strikes. Civilians in three villages near Sittwe are also reported displaced following attacks linked to the Myanmar Navy. The report notes continued drone usage in attacks but does not clarify strike attribution beyond citing the source’s claim.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Exact casualty figures for regime troops and civilians killed or injured during the counteroffensive. Independent verification of airstrike and drone strike responsibility claims. Confirmation of the scale and locations of civilian displacement from multiple sources.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.