RAKHINE STATE – Local civilians and several military sources shared that the Arakan Army (AA) has gained complete control of Thandwe Town and it is said that the people trapped inside the town are being rescued.
“AA has taken charge of security in Thandwe. There are no (junta) soldiers in the town,” said a resident.
After capturing the two junta bases in Ngapali and several junta stations near Thandwe, AA entered and captured the town of Thandwe on July 16.
“AA is rescuing the elders, children and women trapped in the town. Junta council forces are no longer in Thandwe. They all ran away. The junta council is bombing Thandwe from the air. AA has taken control of the town,” said a Thandwe resident.
Residents said that the junta forces from Thandwe fled to the junta camp at Zalun Village near Maung Shwe Lay Navy in Thandwe Township and joined the junta troops there.
Over 130 junta troops from Maung Shwe Lay Navy are stationed at Zalun Village which is located in between the Navy base and Thandwe Town, around ten miles from both places.
The junta council is reportedly conducting airstrikes in Thandwe but the damages to the buildings and civilian casualties cannot be confirmed yet.
AA, on the other hand, has neither confirmed nor denied the reports that it has captured Thandwe.
Another resident confirmed that AA has cleared the junta bases at Thandwe Prison and the central police station and is currently helping the civilians move to safety.
“The members of AA are rescuing and bringing them (civilians) to safety. There are airstrikes and some damages in the town. It is very difficult to know the details. AA has seized control of Thandwe,” said the resident.
AA recently announced that they are getting rid of the fleeing, disordered junta forces after capturing all junta bases near Thandwe including light infantry battalion 566 and infantry battalion 55 in Ngapali.
In addition, AA is also said to be wiping out the remaining junta bases and fleeing junta soldiers in Maungtaw and is conducting an offensive to capture the town.
