Battle for control of Thandwe intensifies

By Admin 26 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
26 June 2024, Thandwe

Fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) is fierce as the ethnic armed group has launched an offensive against the military’s two Thandwe-based battalions simultaneously.

The AA attacked the military’s Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 55 and 566 on Wednesday morning, with the regime responding to the AA offensive with aerial and naval support.

“We heard gunfire constantly and the regime carried out an aerial assault. Fighting is reported on a daily basis,” said a Thandwe resident.

The AA seized Thandwe Airport in southern Arakan State on June 22 and is currently attempting to capture the two junta battalions based in Thandwe.

There were unconfirmed reports that LIB No. 566 had already fallen.

“Junta soldiers retreated from the military’s LIB 566 to LIB 55. It means the AA seized the military’s LIB 566. The junta jet fighters and Myanmar Navy vessels attacked the AA positions,” said another Thandwe resident.

In addition to the military’s LIB Nos. 55 and 566, the Maung Shwe Lay naval base is also located in Thandwe Township. Junta soldiers were sent to Myoma police station and Basic Education High School No. 1 to boost the regime’s defence of the town.

Fighting has been raging in Thandwe Township for more than two months, since the AA launched an assault on junta positions in the township on April 13. The number of people displaced by junta artillery attacks and airstrikes on residential areas has risen to nearly 50,000 in Thandwe Township.

“Internally displaced people and local residents in Thandwe Township are in urgent need of food and medicine. Medicine cannot be bought here,” said an aid worker.

The AA has thus far seized nine townships in Arakan State, Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State, and scores of military camps elsewhere in Arakan State, with the theatre of conflict now expanded into Thandwe, Ann, Taungup and Kyaukphyu townships. 

The regime had increased its military presence and defences in Thandwe in advance of Wednesday’s AA attack.