Thandwe Twsp remains pivotal battleground

By Admin 15 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
15 July 2024, Thandwe

The Arakkha Army (AA) continues to attack Myanmar military camps in Thandwe Township, Arakan State, with the regime responding to the AA assault with aerial and naval support.

The AA has launched a battle for control of Thandwe, and rescued those trapped by the fighting after the ethnic armed seized the military’s Ngapali-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 566 on June 27, Thandwe Airport on July 5, and Light Infantry Battalion No. 55 on July 9.

“Fighting in downtown Thandwe is still escalating. The regime is defending against the AA attack with aerial and naval support. The AA is reportedly rescuing Thandwe residents trapped by the fighting,” said a source.

With the fall of Ngapali Town to the AA, Myanmar’s military regime has brought in reinforcements from its army and navy forces based in Ayeyarwady Region to defend neighbouring Thandwe Town, according to residents.

As the regime has destroyed a vital communications tower on Mt. Nantaw, phone lines are down in Thandwe and the surrounding area.

With the fighting escalating in recent weeks, those fleeing the regime’s blockades are facing severe food shortages and medical problems.

“As urban warfare intensified, the number of IDPs [internally displaced people] increased, and the need for medicine became quite large and could not be bought at all. IDPs are suffering a lot because the price of rice is rising,” said an aid worker.

It has been more than eight months since fighting between the military and AA resumed in Arakan State on November 13. The AA, which has seized control of most of Arakan State’s 17 townships, is currently ramping up an offensive to capture the townships of southern Arakan State that remain under junta control.