RI's Neighbour's War Heats Up! Military Prepares Drones and Deploys Warships

Myanmar’s military regime has reportedly ramped up a massive deployment of naval vessels in the waters off southern Rakhine State. This provocative move targets Taungup Township, Ramree, and Thandwe, which are currently under the control of the Arakan Army (AA) ethnic troops, while continuing indiscriminate bombardment of northern areas.

Citing a report from The Irrawaddy, resistance sources and local residents revealed that the junta military has also increased surveillance using unmanned aerial vehicles or drones in the AA-controlled areas. This surge in military activity marks a new phase of escalating tensions in the conflict zone.

Previously, only a few naval vessels were seen patrolling along the coastal areas near Thandwe, Taungup, Ramree, and Manaung townships. However, reports now indicate around 10 ships operating in those waters, positioned increasingly close to the shore.

A resident of Ramree provided testimony about the tense situation in his area. He stated that the naval presence had dramatically increased since before the Thingyan festival or traditional Myanmar New Year on Tuesday (21/04/2026).

“The naval presence has increased since before Thingyan. Previously, they were about 20 to 30 miles (around 30-50 km) from the coast, but now they are much closer. Drones are deployed every day, so people are afraid and avoid the area,” said the Ramree resident.

The military’s naval vessels have reportedly detained and fired upon local fishing boats at sea, fuelling strong indications of plans for amphibious operations. As a result, many fishermen now dare not venture out to sea due to the threat to their lives from the warships.

A resident from Thandwe Township also confirmed the escalation in the number of ships operating in his area. He explained that the movements of these vessels are highly intensive and they frequently fire heavy weapons.

“Previously, there were only about two ships here routinely. Now we see three, sometimes even four ships. They move closer to the shore and then withdraw repeatedly. Heavy weapons are also fired almost every day,” said the Thandwe resident, describing the on-the-ground conditions.

Citing reports from local Rakhine media, six naval vessels approached the river mouth in AA-controlled Taungup Township on Saturday. The fleet conducted surveillance operations using drones before withdrawing back to the open sea the following day.

A military analyst from Kyaukphyu with close ties to the AA assessed that the junta is unlikely to be able to launch an effective counterattack to retake the towns in Rakhine State. According to him, the junta’s military strength is severely limited for large-scale ground assaults.

“It won’t be easy to retake them. At most, they might use air strikes and destruction of civilian targets,” said the analyst, offering his view on the junta’s tactics.

Nevertheless, clashes continue in areas still held by the junta, such as Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships. AA forces have also reportedly retaliated by firing on the naval vessels along the coastline.

Currently, Myanmar’s military regime is shifting military pressure through sea operations because the AA has secured vast territories, including areas east of the Arakan Mountains in Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magwe regions. This has increasingly constrained and limited the junta’s land manoeuvres.

In addition to sea pressure, the regime has intensified air strikes on civilian targets in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, and Mrauk-U townships in recent days. An air strike on Sunday morning in Ponnagyun town reportedly destroyed an ethnic youth vocational training centre and an electricity supply station, while injuring civilians.

On the same Sunday, a junta fighter jet dropped bombs on a village in Ponnagyun, killing one resident. It did not stop there; junta fighter aircraft also carried out two air strikes targeting a monastery and houses in a village in Mrauk-U Township, destroying religious buildings and injuring 13 people, including monks.

To date, the AA has successfully taken control of 14 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State as well as Paletwa Township in Chin State. In his speech on the AA Armed Forces Day on 10 April, AA Supreme Commander Tun Myat Naing reaffirmed the group’s ambition to seize the remaining townships.

“We aim to capture the remaining townships by the end of 2026 or in 2027, and if not, we will continue advancing until full victory is achieved,” Naing stated firmly in his official remarks.