Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray) — Forced from an offensive to a defensive posture, the Myanmar military has reportedly used five aircraft to conduct airstrikes near the Taung Maw Oo naval station in Rakhine's Kyaukphyu Township, an area that hosts numerous Chinese development projects.

"The fighting has been ongoing since this morning, and by noon, junta casualties appeared to be rising," a local military source reported. "The junta air force was called in to support ground forces in the area."

Around noon today, the military dispatched four fighter jets and one Y-12 transport aircraft to the battlefield near the naval base. Intense clashes broke out immediately following the airstrikes.

The junta has been launching full-scale assaults against areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) since May 10. "The AA is continuing its assault on the junta outpost in Awa Taung village," the source added. "The military is suffering heavy casualties, forcing it to rely on combined air, naval, artillery, and drone support."

While the military initially relied heavily on naval artillery and drones, these measures failed to halt the AA’s counteroffensive. As a result, embattled ground troops had to request immediate air support.

The military's initial defensive line suffered severe casualties between Awa Taung and Myaw Chaung. Surviving soldiers retreated to merge with rear reinforcements, but they continue to sustain heavy losses.

According to the local military source, the coup regime's offensive has collapsed into a purely defensive operation focused entirely on protecting the strategic Taung Maw Oo naval base.