On 20 February 2025, the Arakan Army started an offensive to capture Kyaukphyu District. Clashes first started near the Danyawaddy Naval base.Junta Increases Security In Kyaukphyu Town as Fighting Nears. June 13, 2025. Development Media Group.
Background Kyaukphyu District in Rakhine State is home to the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone. A key asset of the SEZ is the Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port, which is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.ကျောက်ဖြူရေနက်ဆိပ်ကမ်း - စစ်ကောင်စီရဲ့ နောက်ဆက်တွဲစာချုပ် တရုတ်လိုလားတဲ့ပုံစံ ပြန်ရောက်သွားမလား. BBC Burmese
After the 2024 Battle of Ann, the Myanmar junta only controlled Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and the island of Cheduba in Rakhine State. AA intends to capture all of Rakhine to "restore the sovereignty of the Arakan people."As Arakan Army gains ground in Myanmar, peace remains elusive. Ingyin Naing. Voice of America. January 10, 2025.
Battle On 20 February 2025, the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw began clashes near Danyawaddy naval base.Fighting near Chinese enclave in Myanmar’s Rakhine state uproots 20,000. March 4, 2025. Radio Free Asia. AA also attacked the No. 32 Police Battalion headquarters.Kyaukphyu battle resumes in three locations after week-long standoff. July 10, 2025 Narinjara News.
On 26 May 2025, Brigadier General Kyaw Myo Aung, a commander of the Tatmadaw's 11th Infantry Division, was killed by an AA sniper.Death of 11th Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen Kyaw Myo Aung, fallen in Kyaukphyu battle, announced in obituary notice. May 29, 2025. Khaing Lu Hla. Narinjara News Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Lin Kyaing was also captured on 30 May 2025.AA captures a lieutenant colonel and multiple soldiers during Kyaukphyu battle. May 31, 2025. Khaing Lu Hla. Narinjara News
The Myanmar junta announced a ceasefire from 1 June to 30 June.Myanmar junta says extends temporary ceasefire to June 30. Reuters. June 3, 2025. Despite this, Tatmadaw forces reportedly bombed AA positions during the ceasefire period.Junta forces bombard Kyaukphyu shortly after ceasefire declaration. June 3, 2025. Thinzar Nwe. Narinjara NewsBattle in Kyaukphyu escalates after ceasefire expires. July 2, 2025. Thinzar Nwe. Narinjara News
The junta claimed on 10 November 2025 that the village of Thaing Chaung and its dam were captured from AA.Junta lobbies claim seizure of Thaing Chaung village, Thaing Chaung dam in Kyaukphyu Township. November 11, 2025. Khaing Lu Hla. Narinjara News
On 14 November 2025, a group of Tatmadaw soldiers were killed by artillery from the Arakan Army shortly after a photo session at the briefly-occupied Kyaukphyu Meteorological Radar Station in . Approximately 10 Tatmadaw soldiers were killed and more than 20 were injured, with Major Ko Ko Zaw being reportedly among the fatalities.
Around late March and early April 2026, the fighting intensified with AA killing about 10 junta soldiers and capturing several others between Tai Chaung and Pyay Chuen Creek villages.
The Taung Maw Oo naval base is located near the Maday Island with around guarded 500 junta troops. It is jointly held by Battalion 11 under the junta's forces and the Dhanawaddy Naval Command. During the first week of June, AA captured at least four-five military outposts out of six near the Taung Maw Oo naval base.
Chinese interference allegations
On 18 February 2025, the SAC junta passed a law to allow foreign companies to station armed private security on company property in Myanmar. As China possesses significant investment of the Kyaukphyu SEZ, Chinese private security companies composed of former PLA soldiers and Burmese nationals were stationed near its properties.Junta Passes Law Allowing Chinese Security Firms to Operate in Myanmar Maung Kavi. February 19, 2025. The Irrawaddy. Since then, AA claimed that the Tatmadaw was being assisted by drone operators employed by Chinese security companies operating in Kyaukphyu.China tells AA not to fight near Chinese projects in Kyaukphyu conflict while supplying drones, technical support to junta. Khaing Lu Hla. July 26, 2025. Narinjara News
See also List of engagements during the Myanmar civil war (2021–present)
References