Myanmar resistance drones strike junta airbase near Mandalay airport

Myanmar resistance forces launched a drone attack on a junta airbase adjoining Mandalay International Airport at around 2pm on Thursday, disrupting civilian flights and prompting the military to send troops into nearby villages. The attack on the Tada-U airbase, around 20 miles southwest of Mandalay, was carried out using first-person-view (FPV) drones, sources said. Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the anti-junta National Unity Government (NUG), told Myanmar Now that fighters from its armed wing, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), were responsible for the attack. He did not elaborate on which PDF units took part or provide further details about the operation. Video seen by Myanmar Now shows the live feed from one of the FPV drones as it approaches the airbase and descends towards a row of blue-roofed aircraft shelters. At least one military aircraft can be clearly seen parked inside an open-sided shelter as the drone flies directly towards it. The video feed abruptly cuts out as the drone reaches the aircraft and shelter, apparently at the moment of impact. The footage does not show the aftermath, making it impossible to determine whether the aircraft was damaged or destroyed. A separate video shows another FPV drone flying over aircraft shelters at the same airbase before turning towards a group of people gathered near what appears to be a military vehicle. The drone descends rapidly towards the group before the video feed cuts out, apparently at the moment of impact. Myanmar Now could not determine whether anyone was killed or injured in the attack. The junta, however, claimed that security forces had thwarted the attack, saying six FPV “suicide drones” had attempted to strike the airbase and airport area. It said troops opened fire on the incoming drones, destroying some and preventing others from reaching their intended targets. The regime said the incident caused some domestic flights to be temporarily suspended but claimed there were no casualties or damage to vehicles or runways. It also accused resistance forces of deliberately targeting an airport used by civilians and attempting to cause civilian casualties. However, the video shows at least one drone penetrating deep into the airbase and reaching an aircraft shelter containing at least one military aircraft. It could not be confirmed, however, whether the aircraft was hit or if the military section of the airport sustained any significant damage. The attack caused significant disruption at Mandalay International Airport, which shares its grounds with the military airbase. Myanmar Airways International (MAI) announced on Thursday that all of its international flights to and from Mandalay had been suspended until further notice, citing “operational reasons.” Domestic flights operated by MAI and its sister carrier Mingalar would meanwhile operate through Anisakan Airport in Pyin Oo Lwin. Affected international passengers were being offered refunds or a one-time change of route. Following the attack, junta forces moved towards Nwar Chan Gyi Kone, a village in Mandalay Region’s Natogyi Township located about 15 miles southwest of the airbase, where the military apparently suspected the drones had been launched. Fighting subsequently broke out in the area, a local resident told Myanmar Now. “There is fighting around Nwar Chan Gyi Kone, near the border between Tada-U and Natogyi townships,” the resident said. “Since yesterday evening, they have been moving into the area with around 40 military vehicles.” Residents of at least five villages, including Nwar Chan Gyi Kone, Ywatharaye, and Thittawphyar, have fled their homes because of the fighting. Local sources said PDF groups based in Natogyi Township were believed to have taken part in the drone operation, although Myanmar Now could not independently establish which units were involved. The airbase at Mandalay International Airport, about 23 miles southwest of central Mandalay, has been targeted several times since the 2021 military coup, including in January 2024, when resistance groups attacked it with 107mm rockets. Military convoy ambushed A military convoy travelling towards the Tada-U airbase was also ambushed later on Thursday by resistance forces based in Natogyi and Myingyan townships, according to local sources. The convoy, travelling from the Myotha area along the Tada-U–Myotha road, was attacked at around 3pm by a resistance force numbering about 100 fighters, a local man said, citing a military source. An army major serving as a tactical commander at an air-defence unit in Myotha was reportedly wounded in the attack and later died while being transported to Mandalay for treatment, according to residents citing eyewitnesses. The officer’s death could not be confirmed, and the junta had not issued a statement on the reported ambush at the time of publication. Traffic was moving through the site of the convoy attack without major disruption on Friday morning, according to local sources. Junta forces instead appeared to be concentrating their operations on villages surrounding the airbase, where troops continued to conduct sweeps following the drone attack.

Myanmar resistance drones strike junta airbase near Mandalay airport

PDF fighters carried out the attack, which disrupted civilian flights and triggered fighting in nearby villages

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