Junta forces have moved to establish positions in Thahpanyaung and Pyaung villages in the western part of Mindon Township, Magway Region, in what appears to be a strategic effort to open a route for an offensive toward the Arakan Mountain Range and deeper into Arakan (Rakhine) State.
Following heavy clashes in late May with resistance forces in Nga/Kone Village—situated at the foothills of the mountain range—retreating junta troops regrouped in Thaphanyaung and Pyaung villages on June 1.
Locals reported that the withdrawing column also set fire to homes in nearby Wetkaw and Htanhlwepin villages during the retreat.
“Junta soldiers pulled back, but it wasn’t a full withdrawal. They regrouped and set up a base in Thaphanyaung Village. On the way back, they burned houses in Wetkaw and Htanhlwepin villages. Right now, only a few elderly people and women are left in Thaphanyaung, while most villagers have already fled. People from Wetkaw, Htanhlwepin, and Pyaung have also been displaced,” a source told DMG.
The junta initially attempted to push toward the Arakan Mountain Range from Thaphanyaung on May 27, later advancing toward Kangyaing Village on May 29.
This movement triggered three straight days of intense fighting between May 29 and May 31, after which junta forces were forced to withdraw, reportedly suffering significant casualties.
Military observers suggested that the junta may be attempting to secure Nga/Kone Village as a buffer position between the Arakan Mountain Range and Thaphanyaung. If successful, the next possible objective could be Ma-ei Town in Taungup Township of Arakan State, analysts said.
“Nga/Kone is located between the mountain range and Thaphanyaung. The junta launched what appeared to be a probing attack there as part of its attempt to push toward Ma-ei Town. However, it was forced to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties,” a local monitoring the military situation explained.
The move is also being interpreted as part of a broader effort to test alternative supply and infiltration routes into Arakan State, where it has suffered major territorial setbacks against the Arakan Army (AA).
“The junta has sent around 1,000 troops into Mindon and Kanma. It looks like it is trying to force open a way into Arakan State. It previously tried to establish positions through attacks from Nyaungkyoe, Natyaekan, Ngwethaungyan, and even from the Ayeyarwady Delta Region, but all those attempts failed. Now it is trying a new route, advancing from Mindon toward Ma-ei,” said Captain Zin Yaw, a former junta officer who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)—an anti-coup campaign in which civil servants and security personnel refuse to work for the regime.
He further assessed that the junta’s current operation is unlikely to be aimed at territorial control, but is instead focused on disrupting trade routes in the region.
“Junta troops recently reached Zarlitaung Village, but they were pushed back by the AA and allied forces near Nga/Kone and Yinkauk villages. Their likely goal is to disrupt trade routes linking Arakan State with Minbu, Magway, Monywa, and Pathein. They might be able to cut those routes, but they are unlikely to use them effectively for logistics,” he said.
The AA, the Student Armed Force (SAF), and allied Chin resistance groups currently maintain strong territorial control across the Arakan Mountain Range, coordinating defensive positions to block any further junta advances.
