Thadwe is the airport that used to serve visitors heading for Myanmar’s most famous beach- Ngapali beach ,where all flights have just been suspended because of fighting raging in Gawt village near Ma Zin Airport, in Thandwe Township.
Locals report that Thandwe-Yangon flights have been halted temporarily due to airstrikes conducted by the Junta.
The escalation began on the afternoon of June 3 when intense clashes erupted between the Arakha Army (AA) and the Junta troops. As AA gained control of Gawt village, Junta forces responded with airstrikes, intensifying the conflict as recounted by residents.
"The flights usually run once a week, but they have been stopped now. The fighting is really close to the airport, just a mile away, and there is continuous shelling with heavy weaponry like Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs). Even the Navy is involved, and there are lots of airstrikes happening. People here are really scared”, a resident told Narinjara.
Junta forces are reported to have concentrated their efforts on the forested area spanning two miles between Gawt village and Sinkyet village. For their own safety, civilians are seeking refuge in nearby establishments such as the Pao Wun (Mya Padonmar) resort and the Amara hotel.
"The fighting started right at the entrance of our village, the path from Ngapali to Gawt village. Jet fighters bombed us four times, once with three bombs, another time with six bombs, and twice with four bombs. And now, those jet fighters are still circling above us. We are all still stuck hiding, unable to leave”, a local said.
Thandwe residents reported that due to the intense fighting, Junta forces closed Ma Zin Airport. The sudden halt in operations of the Air KBZ (K7-429) flight, a daily service between Thandwe and Yangon, since June 3 adds to the uncertainty. Information regarding the resumption of services remains elusive.
Previously, Air KBZ operated the sole daily flight between Thandwe and Yangon until the end of May. However, in June, Myanmar Airways reintroduced a weekly service on this route.
The conflict zone near Gawt village, which is part of the Ngapali hotel zone, is a mere 1.5 miles from Ma Zin Airport and 2 miles from the 566th Infantry Battalion, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
