Pauktaw is the principal town of Pauktaw Township in Sittwe District in Rakhine State, Myanmar (Burma). On 16 November 2023 the town had fallen under control of the Arakan Army (AA) during the ongoing civil war, following the resumption of hostilities after the ceasefire between the AA and the Tatmadaw military junta broke down. Following heavy bombardment by air and sea, the military retook the town a day later. However, the AA returned and again captured the town on 24 January 2024.