The Arakan Army (AA) safely rescued 365 inmates, including 39 political prisoners, from Thandwe Prison in Thandwe Town, Arakan (Rakhine State) in July 2024, according to an AA statement.

The handover of the political prisoners back to their families was completed on 6 August, according to an AA official.

The AA also clarified that the remaining 326 prisoners, who have been sentenced for non-political crimes will not be released immediately. Instead, their cases will be reviewed, and they will remain in custody pending verification of their crimes and sentences.

Originally 372 prisoners were rescued from the prison, unfortunately seven died during and after the escape as a result of heavy junta artillery fire targeting the prison during the prisoner rescue.

Five non-political prisoners died on the spot and two political prisoners were wounded and later died when they were receiving treatment.

The AA also provided emergency medical care to another 17 wounded and sick political prisoners who all survived.

The AA and the United League of Arakan (ULA) also interviewed the political prisoners to see if they could give them any useful intelligence information.

Since mid-July the AA  has controlled all of the major strategic areas of Thandwe Town, including all the town’s junta military bases, the Thandwe hotel zone, and Ngapali (Mazin) Airport.

The AA also controls most of Thandwe Township, but the junta is still controls the Maung Shwe Lay Naval Base where fierce fighting is ongoing.