Despite encountering fierce resistance from the junta, which deployed about 15 battalions, Arakha Army (AA) successfully seized the 566th Light Infantry Battalion stationed in Thandwe Town at 5:30 pm on June 27, according to AA’s statement on July 7.
AA also asserted full control over several of the junta's camps and outposts around Thandwe.
After losing the 566th Light Infantry Battalion, the junta fortified defenses in Thandwe Town, the airport, surrounding buildings, prominent hotels, a three-story building in Zeephyukone Village, and attempted to withstand AA offensive.
AA announced that around 10:00 am on July 6, they successfully cleared the three-story building and surrounding areas, where approximately 100 enemy forces were stationed.
AA also successfully breached the defensive measures of the junta troops, who fiercely resisted with approximately 400 forces in Ngapali Resort Town, Mazin Airport, and the surrounding areas. By around 6:00 am on July 5, AA had gained full control of the airport.
AA statement noted that all junta troops involved in the clashes were from battalions under the 101st Division, and AA decisively defeated the enemy troops, eliminating nearly all of them.
AA also announced that during the clashes in Thandwe, over 400 enemy bodies were found and properly buried by AA troops, and a significant cache of weapons and ammunition was seized.
According to testimonials from prisoners of war (PoWs) captured by AA, all 10 battalions of the 101st Division were involved in the clashes at Thandwe.
In addition to the battalions deployed in Thandwe, the junta utilized battalions normally based in Meiktila, Kale, Mawlaik townships, and some from the Ayeyarwady Region. Furthermore, the junta employed Thandwe-based militia units and navy-seal units for defensive efforts aimed to thwart AA.
In addition, five warships from a Navy flotilla in the Bay of Bengal targeted and shelled AA positions. Junta forces based in Kwinwaing, Thabyuchai, and Jeiktaw villages also attempted to resist AA with intensive artillery bombardments. The junta sought to bolster its defense by deploying the Army, Navy, and Air Force and extensively using drones. However, it was unable to stop AA's relentless offensive, which advanced wave after wave.
AA also stated that the operations aimed at capturing Thandwe were strategically executed, and should be considered the most challenging town-capturing military initiative ever conducted by AA in Arakan (Rakhine) State.
Meanwhile, AA continued its offensive to finish off the remaining junta forces in Maungdaw, targeting the 4-Mile Camp of the 2nd Border Guard Police (BGP-2) and the Myothugyi Camp of the 5th Border Guard Police (BGP-5), and successfully captured BGP-2 at 1:40 pm on July 6. It reported finding over 350 enemy bodies in the camp compound and confiscating a large quantity of ammunition, weapons, and military equipment.
AA said that some battalions under the junta's No. 5 Military Operations Command (MOC-5) had cooperated in the defense of BGP-2 until the fall of the camp.
