Tada-U International Airport in Myanmar’s Mandalay region has been closed for two days following an attack by six FPV suicide drones. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon and briefly disrupted some domestic flights before authorities suspended airport operations as a precaution.
According to AFP reports, the six drones, which were carrying explosives, targeted Tada-U International Airport and nearby areas in Tada-U Township. Security forces detected the drones and used air-defence and counter-drone measures to intercept them. The explosives carried by the drones were also safely neutralised.
No casualties or damage to vehicles or airport runways were reported following the attack. However, some domestic flight operations were briefly affected. Myanmar authorities condemned the incident, saying that attacks against civilian transportation infrastructure could constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.
Security forces have launched an investigation into the incident and are searching for those responsible. Security sources told AFP that the country’s second-busiest airport would remain closed from Friday, September 11, until September 13.
One security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred some distance from the airport building. Despite this, officials decided to shut the airport as a precautionary measure to protect passengers and staff.
A second security officer working at another airport also confirmed that the Mandalay facility would remain “closed for maintenance” until Sunday.
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s military-backed government has accused pro-democracy rebels, particularly the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), of carrying out the drone attack. In a statement, the government highlighted that the attack targeted the airport, which it described as a “non-military, public transportation system.”
