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A military helicopter en route to Ann Town in Arakan State, the base of the Western Command, was hit by fire from the Arakan Army (AA) on November 10. Despite the damage, it continued toward Magway, trailing smoke, according to a military source.
“The helicopter, trailing smoke, ascended slowly—its pace even slower than that of a drone. It’s unclear whether it ultimately crashed. We can confirm that the helicopter was hit, as we’ve verified this through communication with ground resistance forces,” the source said.
Around 12:00 PM on November 10, the junta deployed three fighter jets to conduct airstrikes on the mountains near the Western Command in Ann Town. Four military helicopters were involved in delivering reinforcements, while two Y-12 planes brought in supplies. On its return flight, one of the helicopters was struck by gunfire from the Arakan Army (AA).
At 2:00 pm, a round from anti-aircraft fire struck the helicopter, as reported by a military source.
An officer from the Arakan Army (AA) subsequently shared on his social media at approximately 2:00 pm on November 11, claiming he was “100 percent sure” regarding the military helicopter.
On the afternoon of November 11, Narinjara News reached out to AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha and he confirmed that the Mi-17 helicopter was struck by fire from the Arakan Army (AA) on November 10, replied from his social platform to Narinjara.
Accounts differ concerning the helicopter’s urgent landing. Certain reports indicated it touched down at Kyauk Sone Monastery in Supadaung village, Ngape Township, Magway Division, whereas others claimed it executed an emergency landing in a field in Kan Pauk Village, Sidoktaya Township.
Records indicate that between the 2021 coup and January 2024, resistance forces downed as many as five fighter jets and military helicopters of the junta air force.
On January 16, 2024, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) downed a military jet in Kutkai Township, Shan State.
On January 3, 2024, the KIA downed an Mi-17 helicopter in the Waingmaw area of Kachin State.
On February 13, 2023, the Hkamti District PDF Battalion 1-Homalin and their allied forces downed a military helicopter close to Shwe Pyi Aye Town in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region.
On November 11, 2023, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) together with the Karenni Army (KA) brought down a K8 W light attack plane in the Karenni area.
On May 3, 2021, a Mi-35 attack helicopter was shot down by the KIA in the Momauk area of Kachin State.
