At least one civilian was killed and eight others were injured during airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Arakan State’s Pauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships on Wednesday. The three towns, located 20-131 (32-210 km) east and northeast of the state capital Sittwe, were seized by the Arakan Army (AA) in 2024.
A Rathedaung resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that one man was killed and his wife was injured after twin strikes hit Kutaung village on Sept. 30.
This attack follows international condemnation of airstrikes that killed at least 50 people and injured 58 in Arakan’s Kyauktaw Township, located 60 miles (96 km) north of the state capital Sittwe, on Sept. 28. Kyauktaw was seized by the AA in February 2024.
The National Unity Government (NUG) released a statement two days later, on Sept. 30, to condemn the killing of 50 people. It went on to accuse the military of deliberately targeting a civilian area to create fear and panic among civilians in Arakan.
The Sept. 28 airstrikes destroyed the “Indian Market,” a wholesale hub that sold products imported from India’s Mizoram State, and the adjacent Kissapanadi Bridge, which spans the Kaladan River.
A Kyauktaw resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that thousands of others have fled their homes in fear of further airstrikes. Neighboring towns have closed all schools and markets since Sept. 28.
Residents living in towns seized by the AA since it launched its most recent offensive, including 14 Arakan townships and Paletwa Township in Chin State, have relied on imported food, fuel and medicines from India after the military imposed a land and sea blockade on AA-c0ntrolled territory in November 2023.
The NUG reported that at least four civilians were killed in airstrikes on Sagaing Region’s Kanbalu Township and another civilian was killed in airstrikes in Karenni State’s Demoso Township on Sept. 28.
Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s permanent representative to the U.N., informed the General Assembly on Sept. 29 and urged U.N. member states to cut the flow of weapons and jet fuel to the regime in order to protect the people of Myanmar from its own military.
At least 6,062 people have been killed and 10,322 others have been injured in 6,139 airstrikes nationwide since the 2021 military coup, according to the NUG.
It added that 179 medical facilities, 537 schools and 801 religious buildings have also been destroyed.
DVB has documented 2,845 fatalities and 5,611 injuries in 4,101 aerial attacks, including airstrikes, drone, paramotor and gyrocopter attacks, carried out by regime forces nationwide since March 28.
