Rakhine fighting spreads to Myanmar’s famed Ngapali Beach

The conflict in Rakhine State reached one of Myanmar’s most famous tourist destinations earlier this week with the outbreak of fighting near Ngapali Beach in Thandwe Township. The Arakan Army—now known as the Arakha Army (AA)—began launching attacks on a junta base near one of the beach’s hotel zones on Sunday, according to local sources. Since then, the junta has fought back with ground, air, and naval forces in a bid to prevent the nearby town of Thandwe from becoming the next to fall to the AA The group, which has been waging an offensive against the regime since last November, has so far captured nine of the state’s 17 townships. “The junta was dropping bombs from planes this morning, and yesterday they were shelling. They were also firing from ships. They seem to be desperate to hold onto Thandwe,” said a resident of the town who spoke to Myanmar Now on Wednesday. The base that has been the focus of the AA’s efforts is located on a mountainside adjacent to Thandwe’s Gawt Ward. Troops stationed there have reportedly retreated to two other bases in the area. In addition to the two infantry bases, there is also a naval base near Thandwe. To gain control of the town, the AA will need to capture all three bases, according to locals. Meanwhile, there have also been reports of major civilian casualties in a village about 10 miles north of Ngapali Beach. According to a Thandwe resident who cited other local sources, dozens of people were killed by an airstrike on the village of Sin Gaung on Wednesday. Myanmar Now was unable to independently verify these reports due to the regime’s blackout of internet and mobile phone service in the area. The fighting has also forced the closure of Thandwe’s airport, according to an airline employee based in Yangon. “We have been informed that flights have been suspended until June 9. We’re not sure whether they will resume after that or not,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Neither the regime nor the AA have released any information regarding the recent fighting near Ngapali. Despite being one of Myanmar’s major tourist attractions, Ngapali has had few international visitors in recent years, due to both the Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the 2021 military coup. While the fighting has not yet reached Thandwe, fears that a conflict could erupt at any time have caused about half the town’s population to leave, according to one resident. “People started leaving just over a month ago, little by little. Now we’re down to around half,” said the man, who is still living in Thandwe. Transport restrictions affecting both land routes and waterways have caused commodity prices to skyrocket in Rakhine State, putting further pressure on civilians hit hard by the conflict. The junta’s ban on travel in the state has also created a health crisis among residents, causing many to die of treatable diseases due to a lack of medication and access to hospitals.

Rakhine fighting spreads to Myanmar’s famed Ngapali Beach

Sources say that junta efforts to hold onto the nearby town of Thandwe have resulted in dozens of civilian deaths

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