Despite escalating military tensions in Kyaukphyu, international projects continue, state media reports

Despite the renewed escalation of military tensions between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Tatmadaw in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, the interim government is pushing forward and continuing strategic investment projects, including the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ), according to its propaganda media. Since May, military routes within Kyaukphyu Township have shifted, with the Tatmadaw attempting to land troops from the Taungmow naval base and operating to control the intersection of Snae and Ramree. However, Tatmadaw columns were routed and forced to retreat during battles near Taung Taw Mountain. Subsequently, fighting intensified again in the original locations starting from July 29, and the combat area expanded further towards the village clusters of Minbin, Yenantaung, and Zai Chaung. The AA's offensive reached the vicinity of the Taungmow naval base, necessitating emergency evacuations of military families from the naval base to units in Kyaukphyu town and the Dhanyawadi Naval Headquarters. Kyaukphyu Township is an economically important region where strategic investment projects by China and India are located. AA spokespersons have also stated that the decisive battles occurring in this region, which are heavily dependent on international projects, are being fought with limitations. "Due to the uncertainty of Chinese and Indian investments, the interim government is facing pressure to change its strategies and policies," said CDM Major Zin Yaw. Amidst the changing military situation, the interim government's propaganda media reported that a team led by the interim government's Chief Minister of Rakhine State, U Naing Oo, inspected regional development and project sites within Kyaukphyu Township on July 29. According to the reports, the interim government's Chief Minister inspected the construction sites of the (1) and (2) dams on Maday Island, which are being built to store water required for the Kyaukphyu SEZ deep-sea port project. Furthermore, it was reported that he also observed the energy transmission and oil replenishment through the pipelines at the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project in Southeast Asia on Maday Island. Political analysts say that the Tatmadaw's announcement of continuing such projects while battles are nearing the militarily significant naval base in Kyaukphyu Township is an attempt to demonstrate its control in the region to international investors. Photo: Interim Government, Social Media