Border News Agency
Kyaukphru, August 17.
Reports from ground sources indicate that intense fighting between the Arakan Army and the oppressive Myanmar junta has been ongoing in Kyaukphru Township since August 17.
In Kyaukphru Township, the Arakan Army is reportedly launching counterattacks to retake areas it had withdrawn from, while the junta is also carrying out brutal offensives, making the fighting between the two sides extremely intense.
“The Arakan Army is retaking areas from which it had previously been forced to retreat. The brutal Myanmar junta is also launching offensives using heavy artillery and large forces. The fighting is fierce and happening across many locations,” a ground source told the Border News Agency.
Intense clashes between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar junta are reported near villages including Leik Khamaw, Ywar Thit, Pyin Shay, Nhan Fay Taung, Min Tat Taung, Pyar Tae, Thapyu Taung, Katthaypyay, Shauk Chaung, and Si Maw in Kyaukphru Township.
Ground sources say the Myanmar junta’s navy has been providing heavy artillery and drone support, while deploying large numbers of troops for defense. In response, the Arakan Army has been mounting fierce offensives.
According to the same sources, the junta forces in Kyaukphru Township are desperately trying to seize and secure the Thit Pote Taung junction in order to open a land supply route to their Danyawadi naval base headquarters.
“The junta’s main objective is to secure land routes to connect all of its military positions. In particular, it is launching offensives to seize control of the Thit Pote Taung junction in order to defend the Danyawadi naval base headquarters. The Arakan Army, however, is holding key positions and cutting off their routes,” a ground source told the Border News Agency.
In Kyaukphru Township, heavy clashes have been ongoing since early June, with the junta frequently reinforcing its troops and weapons.
However, in the second week of August, the junta reinforced its forces in Kyaukphru Township with about 500 troops transported by warships, along with 15 armored combat vehicle, according to ground sources.
The junta is now carrying out combined ground, naval, and air offensives to retake the bases and positions it lost earlier in Kyaukphru Township, where Chinese projects are located.
The Arakan Army has seized control of Pyine Zeik Kay, Mintat Taung, the Industrial Training School, Pyar Tae village, and Leik Khamaw village near OGT, along the road from Kyaukphru town to the Danyawadi naval base.
However, as the Myanmar junta launched counteroffensives on Leik Khamaw and Pyar Tae, fierce clashes have been taking place between the two sides, according to reports.
In addition, sources say that on the Kyaukphru front, the Myanmar junta has been frequently reinforcing its forces from Sittwe, deploying forcibly recruited trainees from military training schools, many of whom are directly involved in the fighting.
The junta has also relied on large naval warships, drone surveillance, and heavy artillery strikes, while committing an excessive number of troops to its offensives, according to ground sources.
“Technology in the junta forces has improved. Their drones are more advanced, and the navy deploys them for reconnaissance. They also make extensive use of heavy artillery and aerial strikes. Even when the Arakan Army retreats from certain areas, the junta still commits large numbers of troops for ground offensives. The Arakan Army has also retreated from some areas,” a ground source told the Border News Agency.
In Kyaukphru Township, clashes between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar junta have been occurring frequently. The fighting has intensified because the junta has deployed the maximum number of troops and weaponry, relying heavily on artillery support.
However, sources say that the Arakan Army has not yet launched large-scale offensives and is mainly resisting the junta’s attacks, countering and holding ground where the junta is advancing.
As a result, both sides have suffered heavy casualties, with reports of junta officers being killed or captured. However, ground sources say that the junta frequently replenishes its troops and weaponry.
In Kyaukphru Township, where Chinese economic interests are at stake, analysts say that the junta is prepared to defend its positions with thousands of troops, making it necessary for the Arakan Army to take time and commit large numbers of forces in order to launch decisive offensives.
