Myanmar military forces have launched a coordinated multi-front offensive across at least five locations in Kyaukphyu Township, deploying army, navy, and air forces aiming to break defensive lines held by the Arakan Army (AA).
Since Sept. 4, heavy fighting has raged near Sanae town, targeting the village tracts of Awa Taung, Minpyin, Chaungmyaung, Thaingchaung, and Hsinbote for more than 10 consecutive days.
“Fighting remains continuous and extremely intense,” said a resident familiar with the military situation. “Junta navy warships and air support are delivering heavy firepower to reinforce ground troops.”
The current assault follows a failed late-July offensive near the Taung Maw Gyi naval base, where regime forces suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat. Despite intensified ground and aerial operations, junta forces have been unable to penetrate AA lines.
“The Arakan Army is not currently conducting offensive operations in Kyaukphyu; the military regime is initiating all attacks,” a local military analyst said. “However, regime forces have failed to capture any AA strongholds here for nearly a year.”
By June 2025, the AA had advanced within six miles of Kyaukphyu town, surrounding the Danyawadi Naval Base and No. 32 Police Battalion, while establishing control over areas adjacent to major Chinese Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project sites.
However, AA troops later pulled back from key SEZ areas—including Kyattein, Katthabyay, and Kandi—due to complex strategic constraints tied to Beijing’s major infrastructure investments in the region.
The escalating conflict has displaced approximately 60,000 civilians across more than 70 villages since fighting first erupted in Kyaukphyu in February 2025. Displaced populations face acute shortages of food, shelter, and essential medical care.
The push is part of "Operation 4926," the regime launched on Sept. 4 across Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships. The military is simultaneously attempting to push advance corridors into Rakhine State from neighboring Ayeyarwaddy, Bago, and Magway regions.
