AA withdraws from some areas in Kyaukphyu amid intense junta attacks

By Admin 27 Oct 2025

DMG Newsroom

27 October 2025, Kyaukphyu

Fierce clashes have erupted in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, as the military junta launched coordinated attacks using ground, air, and naval forces. This pressure has forced the Arakan Army (AA) to withdraw from some positions they previously controlled.

Although the AA had earlier advanced to approximately 7 miles from Kyaukphyu town and established territorial control, sources familiar with the situation told DMG that by the end of September, the AA had withdrawn from areas extending over 13 miles from the town.

"Around Thaingchaung Village, near the Thitpottaung Pass, where the AA previously had security gates, the junta has now stationed its forces. There are also heavy deployments in Kularbar and Thaingchaung Villages," said a local resident familiar with the Kyaukphyu conflict.

The AA had previously maintained positions from Malakyun Village, roughly 7 miles from Kyaukphyu, to near Police Battalion No. 32, located just over 4 miles from the town. They have now withdrawn from areas including PyinShwe, Kularbar, and Thaingchaung Villages.

The junta has reportedly reinforced its forces in Kyaukphyu to expand territorial control, deploying additional troops and engaging in intense combat. In addition to ground forces, the junta has used aerial bombardments, advanced drones, and heavy artillery from naval vessels.

"The junta attacked AA forces, sacrificing newly recruited conscripts just to seize a hill or village. Over the past month of fighting in Kyaukphyu, junta casualties may already number in the hundreds, most of them new recruits forced into combat," said a military source familiar with the situation.

Since the second week of October, while major direct clashes have subsided, heavy artillery fire continues near Kularbar and Gawtu Villages, with naval artillery also targeting civilian residential areas.

A young local from Kyaukphyu said, "The junta is leveraging its naval forces and Chinese-backed infrastructure projects. These provide significant advantages, so the battle for Kyaukphyu could last longer."

Earlier, the AA attempted to seize Police Battalion No. 32 at the town entrance in early June. However, the junta's heavy aerial and naval counterattacks, combined with reinforcements, forced the AA to retreat.

Observers suggest the current AA withdrawal could be strategic, allowing them to reorganize and implement new tactics.

"Kyaukphyu, with its numerous Chinese projects, is vital for the junta and strategically critical for the AA. This might explain why the AA temporarily pulled back to plan new military strategies," said a local military observer.

DMG has reached out to U Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the AA, for comment on the situation.

Captain Zin Yaw, a participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), noted, "In the early stages, the Kyaukphyu front was strong for the AA, but later they lost momentum. There's a pattern of advance and retreat. The remaining fronts are already influenced by AA's military capabilities over the junta."

He added, "The Chinese economic zones here are critical. Avoiding clashes near these zones is important, but operational constraints from the Chinese side also influence the timing and scale of engagements. The junta's attacks are coordinated to minimize friction with China, which limits their operations."

Kyaukphyu Township hosts significant Chinese projects, including oil and gas pipelines, the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and associated rail and road infrastructure. The junta benefits financially from the area and maintains favorable relations with China.

On 19 October, the AA issued a warning that the junta is steadily increasing its military presence in Kyaukphyu via maritime routes and preparing to retake towns previously under AA control.

Over the past year of conflict in Arakan State, the AA has secured control over 14 of the state's 15 townships, including Paletwa, while the junta now controls only Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung.