World · Singapore Bureau
Mandalay airport closes following rebel drone strike in Myanmar
Flight operations at Myanmar's second-largest city have been suspended after opposition forces conducted a drone attack on the airport. The closure marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict between military authorities and anti-government armed groups.
LSN Singapore ·
Mandalay International Airport has halted all flight operations following a drone strike carried out by anti-military forces, according to reports from a major domestic airline operating in Myanmar. The attack occurred on Thursday as fighting between the country's military and coordinated rebel factions continues to intensify across multiple regions.
The closure of the airport serving Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, represents a significant disruption to civilian air transport in the region. The facility had remained operational despite the broader civil conflict that has ravaged much of the country since the military's February 2021 coup.
The drone attack underscores the expanding capabilities of anti-government armed groups and their willingness to target critical infrastructure. Opposition forces have increasingly conducted coordinated operations against military installations and facilities over recent months as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
No immediate details were provided regarding the extent of damage to the airport or the expected duration of the closure. The shutdown will compound challenges already facing Myanmar's economy and civilian population, which have deteriorated significantly since the military takeover nearly three years ago.