Fighting between regime forces and the Arakan Army (AA) in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, resumed on July 21 following an 11-day pause since July 10. The AA claims it controls nearly all areas surrounding the deep sea port of Kyaukphyu, which is home to several Chinese investment projects.
The regime controls Kyaukphyu town, as well as the Danyawaddy Naval Base, and Maday Island. This is where the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone is located south of Kyaukphyu town, home to several China-backed infrastructure projects.
The 11-day pause in fighting was used to bring reinforcements into Kyaukphyu, via sea routes. Regime forces launched retaliatory air and artillery strikes against the AA on July 21, resuming its offensive.
“Fighting in Kyaukphyu Township had been nearly silent since July 10, but clashes have flared up again recently, especially as the junta has resumed operations and begun using aircraft and drones for bombing strikes,” a Kyaukphyu resident told Development Media Group (DMG).
Regime Infantry Battalion (IB) 34 fired two artillery shells at AA positions with one landing near the May Phone Moh Hotel in Kyaukphyu’s Asoeya ward, and the other landing between Ngalapway and Taungyin wards.
On July 22, the Myanmar Air Force struck a monastery in Kyaukphyu’s Kyaukpyauk village. One monk was injured and the monastery building and the ordination hall were damaged. Afterwards, five bombs were dropped on Kalabar village.
One of the bombs exploded in a crop field outside of the village. Shrapnel from the bomb struck Maung Than Shwe, 55, in the left side of his chest as he was returning home from herding his cattle.
“Unlike other parts of Arakan State, Kyaukphyu city has Chinese interests, so whenever the AA considers stepping up its offensive there, it faces some obstacles. But no matter what, the AA is definitely going to capture Kyaukphyu Township, including the city. I’m very sure of that,” a military analyst in Arakan told DMG.
The AA controls 14 out of 17 townships in Arakan, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chinland. The state capital Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and the island of Manaung, remain under regime control.
BNI
