Revolutionary forces launched a rocket attack on the airport in Pakokku, Magway Region, resulting in the death of three military council soldiers and significant damage to the runways, according to Colonel Mwe Hawk of the Pakokku PDF’s COBRA ONE artillery unit. The attack took place on July 5 at approximately 10:48 AM, when resistance forces fired 10 rockets and 60mm artillery shells at the airport facility. The airport has been used as a base for Y-12 aircraft and mechanized paratroopers to conduct indiscriminate aerial bombardments against civilians. Additionally, military council troops stationed at the airport have been conducting raids on local communities, forcibly confiscating property and killing civilians, which prompted the revolutionary forces to carry out this attack.
During the operation, five of the ten rockets fired directly hit and exploded within the airport compound, resulting in injuries to 13 military council personnel, with three likely fatalities. The attack caused substantial damage to the airport runways. Although military council forces responded with both heavy and light weapons, the revolutionary forces were able to withdraw successfully without suffering any casualties. The coordinated assault demonstrated the growing capabilities of resistance forces to effectively counter the military council’s aerial operations.
The operation was jointly carried out by multiple revolutionary groups including Pakokku Township PDF Artillery Unit COBRA ONE, Pakokku Township Battalion 1 PDF, Column 1, BA NYEIN GUERRILLA FORCE, District PDF Unit (5) Ayeyarwaddy Region (1) Defense Ploplo Young Force, Daung Nyi Naung (PKU), Southern (YSO), Yesagyo Revolution Group (YRG), People’s Force (YSO), and King Cobra. This successful operation represents a significant blow to the military council’s ability to conduct aerial operations from the Pakokku airport facility, which has been used as a strategic base for attacks against civilian populations in the region.
