The Arakan Army (AA) seized Thandwe Airport, also known as Ma Zin Airport, in the coastal resort town of Ngapali in western Myanmar’s Rakhine State on Sunday, according to a source close to the AA.
Thandwe Airport is the international gateway to renowned Ngapali Beach, and is the first airport to be seized by an anti-regime ethnic armed group since the onset of armed struggle against the regime in 2021.
The ethnic Rakhine armed group and junta troops are engaged in fierce clashes west of Zi Phyu Kone Village between Light Infantry Battalion 566 and Infantry Battalion 55 near the airport.
The source said: “The AA has seized Thandwe Airport. It has captured 132 junta soldiers, and 47 police and their family members.”
The AA has yet to confirm its seizure of Thandwe Airport, one of four airports in Rakhine. The regime was also silent about the fighting in Thandwe.
Pro-junta Telegram channels denied the reports that Thandwe Airport had fallen. They said the nearest clashes were in mountains some 1,500 meters from the airport.
Junta troops have reportedly deployed artillery at the airport. Some junta soldiers have fled the fighting in Ngapali, sources said.
One Ngapali resident close to the Myanmar military said: “I heard gunshots from Jeiktaw on Sunday evening. I heard that they [regime troops] were chasing and shooting at some junta soldiers from Infantry Battalion 55 who [deserted] along with their weapons.”
Junta propagandists said the fighting was limited to three locations far from the airport.
The Ngapali resident said: “Wounded junta soldiers received treatment at Infantry Battalion 55. They were transferred to Thandwe Hospital. All female family members of junta soldiers from Battalion 566 have been moved to Battalion 55.”
Junta troops have occupied Thandwe Airport since June 2, airlifting in reinforcements and weapons.
Clashes were also reported west of Shwe Kyaung Pyin Village on the outskirts of Thandwe town. Junta fighter jets reportedly bombed residential areas, causing civilian casualties.
One Thandwe resident who is a native of Shwe Kyaung Pyin said: “Two were killed and three others severely injured in Shwe Kyaung Pyin. Many residents fled the village a few days after the warning.”
Thandwe residents have been fleeing en masse as fighting nears.
A woman from Thandwe town told The Irrawaddy on Sunday evening: “Residents are fleeing in a hurry. We haven’t heard gunfire, artillery strikes or aircraft so far.”
The regime has carried out bombing raids at night over the past week, killing seven civilians, she said.
Fighting broke out in Thandwe Township on April 13.
A major tactical command base guarding the Myanmar military’s Western Command headquarters has also fallen in Ann Township. Fierce clashes are also taking place in Taungup and Thandwe townships.
The AA has seized nine towns in Rakhine plus Paletwa in Chin State since launching an offensive in November.
