Myanmar regime bombards Rakhine coastal town captured by AA

Myanmar’s military has been carrying out airstrikes on Thandwe, the latest town in Rakhine State to fall into the hands of the Arakan Army (AA), since its capture late last week. The town, which is the gateway to the popular beach resort area of Ngapali, has been under AA control since July 12, according to local sources. “There are no more junta soldiers in the town, so we can say that the AA has successfully taken full control,” said a Buddhist monk who spoke to Myanmar Now earlier this week. Since being forced out of Thandwe, regime forces have carried out both air and naval attacks on the town, sometimes targeting fleeing civilians, according to residents. Meanwhile, the AA has also been pursuing junta troops attempting to take up position in the surrounding area, resulting in a number of recent clashes. “Some of the junta soldiers who fled from the town have set up small camps in neighbouring villages, leading to ongoing battles with the AA,” said one local. “Only after all of them have been driven out will we be able to say that the entire township is under AA control,” he added. On Monday, the AA began moving residents of Thandwe to safer areas due to the danger of junta shelling and airstrikes, according to locals. On July 12, the regime sent 12 trucks full of reinforcements from Ayeyarwady Region to Thandwe in a last-ditch effort to stop the AA takeover, local news outlet the Arakan Princess Media reported. Myanmar Now has been unable to contact AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha for comment on the latest developments in Thandwe. The regime has also been silent on the situation there. Before taking control of the town, the AA overran two junta bases in the area—the Light Infantry Battalion 566 base near the airport, which fell to the group on June 27, and the Infantry Battalion (IB) 55 base in Ngapali, which it captured on July 9. The AA began its Thandwe offensive on April 13, when it engaged in clashes with IB 55 troops between the villages of Yae Sin and Gwayt Chaung. Over the next three months, the two sides engaged in fierce fighting as the AA continued its advance on the town, where several senior military leaders own businesses. On July 11, a junta airstrike destroyed a telecommunications tower in Thandwe, making it difficult to access mobile phone and internet services, sources said. Meanwhile, in northern Rakhine State, the AA is currently launching attacks on the Border Guard Police Battalion 5 base in Maungdaw Township, which is the last remaining junta outpost in the township, sources there told Myanmar Now. On Sunday, the AA attacked junta forces stationed at the Ka Nyin Chaung Economic Zone in Maungdaw, which is now under its control, a local resident has confirmed. Since launching its offensive against the regime in November of last year, the AA has taken full control of Rakhine State’s Myebon, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Ramree, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, and Buthidaung townships, as well as Paletwa Township in Chin State. In addition to its recent advances in Thandwe and Maungdaw townships, the group has also been carrying out attacks in Ann and Kyaukphyu townships. The state capital Sittwe is also on high alert amid fears that AA troops surrounding the town could launch an all-out effort to take it from the regime at any time.

Myanmar regime bombards Rakhine coastal town captured by AA

The fall of Thandwe last week is the latest blow to the junta, which has lost control of more than half of Rakhine State’s 17 townships

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