Yangon- Thandwe flights suspended due to intense fighting near airport

Narinjara News, 3 June 2024

The gun fighting is going on in Gawt village near Ma Zin airport of  Thandwe township, where the famous Ngapali beach is located, and the Yangon- Thandwe flights are temporarily suspended as the junta forces are conducting airstrikes, said local residents.

On the afternoon of 3 June, the intense clash broke out between the junta forces and Arakan Army (AA) fighters in Gawt village.

"The flights operate only once in a week, but now it has been temporarily suspended. The battle site is only a mile away from the airport. The ongoing firing is carried out by  multiple launch rocket systems and artillery shelling. The navy personnel have also joined in the firing. The local residents are extremely worried over the situation," said a resident.

The junta forces are primarily targeting the 2-mile-long forest areas between Gawt and Sin Kyet village. More people are now seeking refuge in (Mya Padonmar) Pao Wun resort and Amara hotel.

"The fighting erupted at the entry point of the village that connects Ngapali with Gawt village.  The jet fighters dropped bombs four times, three bombs together, six bombs once, and four bombs twice. The jet fighters were hovering," added the resident.

The Thandwe residents informed that following the outbreak of fierce fighting, the junta forces closed Ma Zin airport and cancelled the 13 May flight.

Since 3 June, the Air KBZ (K7-429) flight, which runs daily between Thandwe and Yangon, had  suddenly halted operations.

Until the end of May, only one daily flight from Thandwe to Yangon was operated by Air Kanbawza. However in June, the Myanmar Airways resumed services on this route operating their flights once in a week.

The AA fighters and junta forces are now engaged in conflicts near Gawt village, which is a part of Ngapali hotel zone. The fighting takes place only 1.5 miles away from Ma Zin airport and two miles from the 566th infantry battalion.