The Myanmar military has deployed hundreds of troop reinforcements to Mindon Township in the Magway Region in recent days, preparing a fresh ground offensive toward opposition-held Taungup Township in Rakhine (Arakan) State, according to local military sources.

Around 2,000 troops from Light Infantry Division 55 alongside junta-backed militia fighters arrived at Weapons Factory (Ka Pa Sa) No. 12 in Thayet Township on August 22. From there, an initial convoy transporting roughly 300 soldiers reached Mindon Town on August 23.

Military sources indicate the regime is planning a renewed push along the Mindon-Maei axis over the Arakan Yoma mountain range. 

Similar attempts by junta columns in June and early July were crushed by the Arakan Army (AA) and allied resistance forces, forcing regime troops to fall back to Mindon.

“The military is throwing in all available forces to regain lost ground,” an Arakan-based military analyst told DMG. “They are attempting to breach Rakhine State from multiple fronts—including Magway, Bago, Ayeyarwady, and Chin State—using mountain passes and tactical hilltop bases like Nat Yay Kan.”

Despite multi-pronged pushes, junta columns have been consistently stymied by AA counteroffensives. 

Facing mounting ground casualties and territorial losses, the regime has increasingly relied on indiscriminate airstrikes targeting civilian population centers across Rakhine State.