27 civilians killed in six days of Myanmar junta airstrikes in Rakhine and Chin states

Mizzima

Myanmar junta forces carried out repeated airstrikes on civilian villages and wards in Rakhine and Chin states between 8 and 13 August, killing 27 civilians including young children in Gwa, Thandwe, Ann, Ponnagyun, and Sami townships, with many more injured.

On 13 August, a junta jet fighter dropped two bombs on residential wards along Metta Paung Ku Road in Ward (1), Kyeintali town, Gwa Township, killing eight people, according to the Arakan Army (AA). Two children, aged seven and 12, were among the dead.

Later that day, around 9:00 PM, a jet fighter dropped four bombs on Kaing Khun village in Gwa Township. No civilian casualties were reported, but seven homes were destroyed.

In Thandwe Township, a bombing raid on Kyaukkyi village just after 1:00 PM on 10 August has left at least 16 civilians dead and 18 injured, according to the latest available reports.

At 11:25 PM on 12 August, a 15-minute airstrike hit Ward (2) in Sami town, killing a 16-year-old girl on the spot. Her parents and three brothers, along with four nearby residents, were among nine people injured in the attack.

At 7:30 AM on 11 August, two bombs were dropped near the entrance to Ponnagyun town, wounding 19-year-old Ma Htwe Sein and 13-year-old student Ma Thandar Htike, both struck by shrapnel in their legs.

At 9:30 PM on 8 August, a bomb struck a carport and house in Talaing Taung village, Ann Township, killing Daw Ma Lay Nge, 67, and Maung Maung Nyan, 23. Three others were injured, and five motorcycles were destroyed.

Commenting on the pattern of nighttime airstrikes, one military analyst said the junta appears to be deliberately timing attacks for when civilians are asleep. “This is not how you wage a battle — it is a tactic designed to instill fear and psychologically break down the civilian population. Using overwhelming air power to deliberately target civilians is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” the analyst said.

Separately, fighting between junta forces and the AA is intensifying in Kyaukphyu Township. The junta, via Light Infantry Battalions (542) and (543), is continuously reinforcing hundreds of troops toward Police Battalion (32) and Malikyun village. Military tensions between the two sides remain high near Minpyin, Zin Chaung, and the naval post near Taung Maw Oo in Kyaukphyu Township, with the front line expanding.

An unnamed military source told Mizzima: “Fighting is very intense on both sides near the Taung Maw Oo naval post and around Minpyin and Zin Chaung. The junta is suffering heavy losses, so they’re sending in reinforcements at least two military trucks a day, without a break. We’ve also seen gyrocopters massing near the airport.”

On 11 August, a Chinese drone-technical assistance team reportedly arrived at Kyaukphyu Airport and has set up a base there, converting the airport into an air-force-style facility in preparation for expanded drone operations.

A military analyst said: “As the junta suffers heavier losses and its manpower is depleted on the ground, it’s increasingly relying on airstrikes and drone technology. But because these attacks are systematically targeting civilians and villages that are not military targets, this constitutes a blatant war crime.”

As the junta increases its air and naval attacks, local Rakhine authorities have urged residents to remain more vigilant than ever about the dangers posed by both air and sea attacks.