The Arakha Army (AA) has gradually advanced towards Thandwe's Ma Zin Airport, triggering intense fighting. Two Junta battalions defending this extremely important target.
If falls to the AA, this would constitute major blow to the regime’s credibility as the first airport to be captured by the resistance.
This AA action follows up from the successful capture of the Junta's military camp in Gawt village – a location roughly one mile from Ma Zin Airport (Thandwe Airport) in Ngapali beach town, Thandwe township, Rakhine State.
Residents have reported that fierce fighting erupted around Gawt village on June 5, with the clashes intensifying on the afternoon of June 6 and now approaching Ma Zin Airport in Thandwe town.
Currently AA's advancing column is approaching Ma Zin Airport, engaging in fierce battles with Junta forces along the mountain ridge and seashore near Gawt village. The Junta forces are receiving heavy fire support from jet fighters and warships at sea, while the 55th Infantry Battalion and the 566th Light Infantry Battalion, based in Thandwe, are firing howitzers day and night
Ma Zin Airport hosts a Junta military installation under the close supervision of a tactical operations commander, and an artillery battalion is stationed there, with three jet fighters deployed to thwart the AA offensive.
"Intense airstrikes are underway as Chinese Y12 aircraft and two jet fighters bomb around Gawt village and Sapargyi village. At the Amara Hotel, fleeing residents are trapped. I heard that Junta forces fired artillery shells into the hotel, confiscating the hotel's property and residents' belongings, but I cannot confirm this. Due to the ongoing fighting, it is difficult for ordinary people to approach the area”, a Thandwe resident reported.
Local reports indicate that around 100 villagers from Gawt village fled due to the clashes between AA and Junta forces from June 3 to 6 near Gawt mountain, yet the Junta forces allegedly captured them in front of the Amara Hotel and confined them inside.
Residents said that despite Thandwe town and Ngapali being under the defense of Junta forces at the national (the most critical) level, the conflict is gradually approaching to these areas.
