Border News Agency
Sittwe, August 18.
The junta’s military has reinforced its naval forces to the maximum level in order to launch counter-offensives and recapture areas currently controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), according to sources close to the military.
Those naval forces have been deployed in the offshore waters near Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and Manaung townships, as well as near Gwa, Thandwe, Rambre, Pauktaw, and Maungdaw townships, where they are carrying out daily patrols and surveillance, the sources said.
According to military sources, most of the naval vessels have been deployed around Sittwe and Kyaukphru, while a submarine has also been positioned and kept on standby in the waters between Kyaukphru and Rambre.
“The navy has already been fully deployed to provide support and cover for Sittwe and Kyaukphru. Naval forces are carrying out daily blockades and surveillance in preparation for retaking certain towns. Together with the army and air force, the navy will conduct amphibious operations. The main offensives will be led by the navy,” a junta naval officer told Border News Agency.
According to naval sources, the junta has stationed most of its warships in the waters around Sittwe where its regional command headquarters and the State Military Council office are based and is focusing primarily on surveillance and patrol operations in the area.
Military sources said that the junta has upgraded the No. 3 Naval Fleet, based near Point Beach in Sittwe, into the regional naval command headquarters. It is now under the leadership of a navy officer with the rank of commodore, and nearly one thousand officers and sailors have been deployed there.
Sources said that the No. 3 Naval Fleet has been relocated to Shwe Min Gan in Sittwe Township, with the junta deploying up to 500 personnel and reinforcing it with additional large naval vessels.
According to sources, the naval garrisons also include drone units and heavy weapon teams. They conduct daily surveillance using drones and carry out drone strikes and heavy artillery fire.
Although the western naval command headquarters initially had only about 35 warships, sources said the junta has reinforced it with up to 50 vessels. Special drone units and elite task forces have also been added, along with personnel, weapons, and equipment, in preparation for amphibious operations.
“We will use the navy, along with drones and heavy weapons, to gain the upper hand. Amphibious operations will be carried out to recapture certain towns. Combined army, navy, and air operations will follow. The focus will be on the navy for amphibious assaults and retaking territory. Naval forces have been reinforced to the maximum,” a naval officer told Border News Agency.
According to information obtained by Border News Agency, the western naval command headquarters, including the No. 3 Naval Fleet at Shwe Min Gan, together with units under the Sittwe regional military command, have been deployed across the offshore waters surrounding Sittwe Township. In total, junta forces have been reinforced with over 10,000 personnel in the coastal and riverine areas of Sittwe Township.
Military sources said that, in addition, large naval vessels have been reinforced in the offshore waters around Kyaukphru Township, including the Dhanyawadi naval command headquarters, as well as in the offshore waters around Manaung Township, including the Manaung naval fleet.
Some of the naval vessels that had been stationed in the offshore waters between Manaung and Rambre Townships, after redeployment from Thandwe Township, have moved closer to the offshore waters near Thandwe. They are conducting surveillance and heavy artillery fire, according to sources.
In addition, large naval vessels have been reinforced in the offshore waters near Maungdaw Township. Daily patrols and surveillance are being conducted, and personnel, weapons, and equipment are being prepared for potential amphibious operations, sources said.
Political analysts say that the junta is preparing to launch simultaneous offensives against the Arakan Army. They are also reportedly coordinating with neighboring countries through diplomatic channels to secure agreements that would allow the use of offshore waters and airspace for military operations.
A political analyst told Border News Agency, “Before the upcoming elections, the junta is likely to test attacks on areas controlled by the Arakan Army. The extent of the operation will depend on how well the AA is prepared and how much the civilians have been warned. The junta will definitely focus on using the navy. It is believed that agreements with the Bangladesh military have already been secured for this purpose.”
Border News Agency has learned that the junta is conducting daily preparations, reinforcing personnel, weapons, and equipment, to launch counter-offensives to retake townships currently controlled by the Arakan Army. Sources say the junta plans to deploy up to 30,000 troops for combined army-navy operations in these assaults.
According to junta military sources, the junta plans to focus on retaking Maungdaw Township using drones, surveillance, and heavy weaponry. They are also preparing operations to recapture townships along the Kaladan project route, including Ponnakyun, Kyauktaw, and Paletwa, as well as preparing to retake Thandwe Township.
According to junta military sources, the junta has already gathered and supplied weapons to so-called Rohingya armed extremist groups in preparation for operations to retake Maungdaw District. In Sittwe Township, nearly 3,000 Muslim refugees have reportedly been trained and armed, and security measures have been implemented along the Sittwe coastal areas.
Ground sources confirm that along the Arakan-Bangladesh border, including Maungdaw District, hundreds of Rohingya armed extremists have infiltrated and are active in the area. The junta is conducting daily drone and aircraft surveillance, along with reconnaissance operations, to gather intelligence.
According to junta military sources, the naval fleets, including the No. 3 Naval Fleet at Shwe Min Gan, have been deployed and reinforced in all areas near Ponnakyun and Rathedaung Townships that could allow access to Sittwe Township. Naval garrisons and combat positions have been established, making it difficult for the Arakan Army to launch attacks and retake Sittwe Township.
