Border News Agency
Kyindwe, September 30

The Myanmar military has begun an offensive in Kyindwe to retake areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), according to local military sources.

The offensive is being launched toward Kyindwe, in Kanpetlet Township, from Laungshwe in Magway Region. Local military sources said the Myanmar military is attempting to advance with heavy air support.

“They have repeatedly tried to break through from the Mindat and Kanpetlet side, but they have been unable to advance. So they are trying to break through toward Kyindwe. The main objective is to regain the territories controlled by the AA. Ground clashes have been occurring continuously, and they are trying to advance with air support,” a local military source told Border News Agency.

Kyindwe is located along routes that could provide access to Paletwa, Mrauk-U, and Minbya townships, all of which are under AA control. Local military sources said the Myanmar military may therefore be attempting to launch another offensive toward Paletwa Township.

However, the sources said that the Myanmar military is unlikely to make significant advances because of the difficult terrain and poor transportation infrastructure, as well as strong resistance from local resistance forces.

Local military sources also said that the AA is participating in fighting in Kyindwe, Mindat, Kanpetlet, and Matupi townships, with large numbers of forces from various groups taking part.

“If they cannot even retake Mindat, it will not be easy for them to reach Matupi. Even if they manage to retake Matupi, advancing onward to Paletwa would still be difficult. That is why they are trying another route. The AA is participating in the fighting in every town,” a local military source told Border News Agency.

Local military sources said that the AA has newly organized the areas including Kyindwe, Kanpetlet, Mindat, Matupi, and Sami as a new “Dragon” Military Region, and has appointed one of its senior regional commanders to lead the area.

The sources further said that the AA, together with other armed resistance groups, has deployed thousands of troops and established multiple layers of defensive positions along the ground routes through which the Myanmar military could attempt to advance. They therefore said the Myanmar military would be unlikely to break through these defensive lines.