The Arakan Army is gaining ground in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, targeting key towns controlled by the military. Control of Kyaukphyu could have significant economic and strategic implications for the junta.
The rebel forces in Myanmar are currently engaged in battles with the military to gain control of key areas, such as a border town in the east and a Chinese-funded oil and gas terminal in the west. The Arakan Army, which broke off a cease-fire with the military regime in November, has been making significant progress in northern Rakhine state and neighboring areas. They have effectively dismantled the regime’s defenses, allowing them to establish dominance in several townships.
The Arakan Army, formed in 2009, aims to establish its own government in Rakhine and has become one of Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic minority rebel groups. They have allied with other local militias in an attempt to overthrow the military regime. Losing key areas like the state capital of Sittwe and the port town of Kyaukphyu would be strategically important for the junta, particularly due to the economic implications tied to China-backed investment projects in the region.
The loss of Kyaukphyu would not only impact Myanmar’s oil and gas industry but also have diplomatic implications for the regime’s relationship with China. The town is vital in the trade route for oil and gas pipelines that connect Myanmar to China, providing an alternative route to avoid potential geopolitical conflicts. The economic loss from areas like Kyaukphyu could have significant consequences for the military regime’s revenue sources.
Source : Major rebel push in Myanmar closes in on pivotal Chinese megaproject
