Border News Agency
Kyaukphru, May 23
The Arakan Army (AA) is conducting its offensives with measured restraint to fully seize control of Kyaukphru Township.
In the May 22 statement, it was mentioned that the Arakan Army is conducting the remaining urban offensives of the final phase of the Arakan War with measured restraint.
It is stated that this is part of the effort to realize the goal of “bringing the entire Arakan region under the control of the Arakan people.”
Political analysts have commented that if the Arakan Army fails to fully capture the remaining three townships in the region, it could risk losing the human resources of Arakan.
“We believe that the remaining three townships in Rakhine must be fully secured first. The Commander-in-Chief also mentioned that we’ll know by 2025. We can’t ignore his words, because what he says tends to come true – and he has strength behind his words. If we fail to completely capture those areas, the outflow of human resources from Rakhine could grow even larger. We’re already witnessing that now – people are leaving. Once they’re gone, the big question is how likely they are to come back,” said U Myo Kyaw, General Secretary of the Arakan League for Democracy, in an interview with Border News Agency.
The Arakan Army is reportedly launching ground offensives to capture Kyaukphru Township, but without relying on drones or heavy artillery. Instead, they are using infantry forces and tactical strategies to gain ground advantage and seize territory, according to field military sources.
In response, the junta forces are reportedly defending with coordinated efforts from the army, navy, and air force, heavily relying on aerial and naval bombardments, as well as deploying a large number of advanced drones, those same sources said.
Political analysts say that because there are Chinese investments in Kyaukphru Township, where the Arakan Army is conducting offensives, there is also pressure from China in the area.
“The political situation clearly shows the influence of the Chinese authoritarian government over the region. So, if the Arakan Army fails to capture the remaining three townships, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other remaining areas will diminish, but there won’t be any significant progress in the revolution either,” said Sayadaw U U Wayama from the Spring Revolution Interfaith Network in an interview with Border News Agency.
The Arakan Army is currently focusing its offensives on capturing Kyaukphru Township, with only three townships – Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and Manaung – remaining to be fully secured.
Political analysts say that Sittwe and Kyaukphru townships are particularly important to the Myanmar junta both politically and economically, which is why the junta is likely to defend them fiercely and not easily give them up.
Military and political analysts also suggest that in the process of launching these offensives and capturing territory, the Arakan Army may face significant sacrifices and losses.
“The ULA/AA will likely face significant sacrifices. Simply capturing the territory is not enough; it is also necessary to consider how to defend it afterward. Meanwhile, although the Myanmar junta is facing battles and losses across Myanmar, they still hold power and are in the process of regrouping and strengthening their forces,” said Major General Min Tun, Chairman of the Arakan National Council, in an interview with Border News Agency.
In the final phase of the Arakan war, the Arakan Army has fully captured and controls 15 townships, including the Paletwa area.
Additionally, they have fully seized and control the border areas between Arakan and Magway, Arakan and Bago, and Arakan and Ayeyarwady. They also have full control over the Arakan-India and Arakan-Bangladesh border regions.
