Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 25 February 2025 

Following the assault by the Arakan Army (AA) on various military columns, such as the Dhanyawadi naval base in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, the junta has sent more than 10 naval attack vessels to the Kyaukphyu Sea to safeguard Chinese projects. 

A military source from Kyaukphyu informed Narinjara News that over 10 naval ships, including attack vessels positioned close to Kyaukphyu and in the Thandwe and Manaung seas, have been assembling around Kyaukphyu sea lately, especially near Maday Island, site of Chinese projects. 

“Naval ships from the Thandwe and Manaung seas have assembled close to Kyaukphyu, encircling the Kyaukphyu sea. Security around Maday Island has also been heightened. The security was tightened following the attack on the Dhanyawadi naval base," he stated. 

Residents indicated that the junta's naval ships showed up following the AA's assault on the Dhanyawadi naval base, the junta's biggest naval facility in Kyaukphyu Township, during the night of February 21. 

A military observer in Arakan stated that the junta has acquired small ships, including assault naval vessels, in the waters off Kyaukphyu. This implies that the junta is probably going to concentrate its assaults on the AA mainly from the ocean. 

“The naval facility in Kyaukphyu is fairly expansive. Three naval bases exist: Taung Maw Oo, Ohn Kywein, and Dhanyawadi. The junta is expected to concentrate on assaulting the AA from the ocean. Although the AA can focus on military bases on land, these naval ships pose a major issue," he stated. 

Kyaukphyu hosts multiple Chinese projects, such as a pipeline that extracts natural gas from the Arakan Sea and exports it to China, alongside a pipeline that conveys oil from the Middle East to China through Maday Port in Kyaukphyu, following delivery by tankers.

Moreover, China and the military government are aiming to advance the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port and create the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone. 

Considering these strategic interests, the junta is poised to vigorously protect Kyaukphyu Town from being captured by the AA. 

AA Commander-in-Chief Major General Tun Mrat Naing declared that they will seize every town in Arakan State, regardless of any obstacles. 

(Photo – old file/ CINCDS)