July 7, 2024
After capturing Thandwe Airport in Rakhine State, the Arakan Army (AA) has announced that they now also control the military airfield and surrounding airport facilities. Fighting has intensified in Thandwe Township since April 13, with near-daily clashes reported.
On June 27, AA forces successfully seized the military unit known as Kamara 566, based in Thandwe, along with several other military bases located in the vicinity of Thandwe. Following the loss of this military unit, the junta reportedly fortified their positions within Thandwe, at the airport, and in nearby buildings, including prominent hotels and a three-story building on Zaykhauk Hill.
However, despite facing approximately 100 troops in the three-story building and adjacent areas, the military launched coordinated attacks on July 6 around 11 AM and also at 6 AM on July 5, targeting approximately 400 soldiers defending around the airport and associated structures in Ngapali (Mazin) as well. The AA declared that they had successfully captured all these positions and now control Ngapali Airport.
In the course of battles in the Thandwe region, over 400 enemy soldiers were reportedly killed, and numerous weapons were seized. The AA has stated that the enemy corpses have been taken for burial, and they continue to engage in combat against the remaining military unit, Khalaya 55, which is currently the only unit left in the region.
