40 soldiers including second-in-command and Captain killed in Thandwe clashes

Nearly 40 junta soldiers, including a second-in-command and a captain, were killed in the ongoing clashes across  Thandwe township of Rakhine State. The junta forces are avoiding direct confrontation against the Arakha Army (AA) but relying on navy vessels and warplanes, said local residents.

Thandwe was also besieged by the AA fighters causing serious concern for the junta authorities.

The victim second-in-command is identified as major Pyae Phyo Hein and the captain as Ko Ko Lin of 55th infantry battalion based in Ngapali of  Thandwe locality. The clashes took place near the Tha Htay hydropower project.

"Pyae Phyo Hein was a well-known personality in the town. He died after being hit by bomb shrapnel. Many soldiers are now undergoing treatment at the hospital. Those seriously  injured have been sent to Yangon,” said a resident.

Lately, the soldiers who previously guarded the checkpoints of Thandwe have been redeployed at the hydropower project. Now the checkpoints are being guarded by the policemen.

"About 50 soldiers went to Tha Htay hydropower project. They apprehend that the  AA fighters may launch an offensive in the coming days. Five miles away from the hydropower project, the junta forces are conducting an ambush patrol. Reinforcements have already arrived in the adjacent areas of the project from Ngapali. One can see  AA activities in all the villages around the town. Now the junta forces are avoiding direct confrontation and relying on navy vessels and warplanes,” said a resident from Shwe Hlay village.

On 27 April, about 30 soldiers arrived at Shwe Hlay Tada Oo to buy food items and then went to the hydropower project.

Since the morning of 22 April, the junta forces and AA fighters engaged in intense fighting at a place which is 10 miles away from the project. It led to the displacement of many residents from nearby villages.

Due to the clashes, residents of six villages namely Pa Yit, Daw Mya, Yae Kauk, Sue Poke Kone, Phaya Maw and Chin Kwin left their places.

"Residents of Kyaung Kone village along with those from Pa Yit village and nearby areas had to flee due to the conflict. Some were trapped in Kyaung Kone and Daw Mya villages. The junta forces are besieged by the AA fighters in Kyauk Gyi, Yae Phyu Aing, Thit Kauk and Chaung Le Taw villages,” said a resident of Thandwe.

Some residents from  Shwe Hlay, Chin Kwin, Lin Thi, Pauk Taw, Magyi Chaung and Shin Saw Pyin villages are also fleeing.

The AA fighters and junta soldiers are engaged in clashes since 22 April in and around Daw Mya, Pa Yit  and Yae Kauk villages near the hydropower project. The intensity of clashes increased till 27 April.

The junta forces fired artillery shells at some villages bordering Thandwe and Taungup townships till the night of 26 April. They also fired artillery shells from the warplanes and navy vessels the next day over Pan Htaw island.

Meanwhile, the naval personnel based in Kwin Wine village fired howitzer rounds continuously along with artillery shelling and airstrikes by jet fighters.'

(The photo was taken in 2019 in Minbya Township of Rakhine)