‘Killing Civilians Will Never Crush the Rakhine Spirit’: AA Responds to Kyauktaw Massacre
The death toll from the junta’s airstrike on civilian targets in Rakhine State’s Kyauktaw town on Monday has risen to 50.
A regime fighter jet dropped two bombs on a crowded market and the nearby Kissapanadi Bridge in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, leaving many of the victims’ bodies burned beyond recognition and nearly 60 other civilians wounded, more than 20 critically. Rights groups have condemned the attack as a war crime. Among the killed and injured were women and children, including a heavily pregnant woman and her baby, who were both killed after the blast caused the baby to be expelled from her body.
In the aftermath of the massacre, The Irrawaddy spoke with AA spokesman Khaing Thukha about the war and its impact on the people of Rakhine, where the regime has escalated its air campaign since April, causing mounting civilian casualties.
How many people were killed in Monday’s airstrike on Kyauktaw?
According to the latest data, 49 people were killed and 58 injured [one more fatality has been confirmed since this interview]. The death toll may rise further, as some bodies were incinerated and others buried under rubble. We believe more victims remain unaccounted for.
Military supporters claim those killed were not civilians but people with links to the AA. How do you respond?
They deliberately target civilians, as they can’t beat us [militarily]. The regime has long used such tactics to intimidate the people. They kill to instill fear. They want to deliver the warning that “We can annihilate you all.”
For the junta, anyone who sympathizes with the AA is an enemy. They see the Rakhine people themselves as enemies to be crushed, killed and uprooted. This mindset reflects the inhuman, fascist character of the Myanmar military.
AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha holds a press conference.
What is the military situation on the ground now?
On many fronts, their offensives have failed, with heavy casualties forcing retreats. In some areas, their attacks have turned into defensive battles. When losses mount, they revert to their usual pattern—targeting civilians. This is a clear war crime, a crime against humanity.
Do you believe Monday’s attack was carried out in response to battlefield defeats?
Yes. Whenever the junta suffers losses on the ground, it retaliates by bombing civilian targets. It is part of the military’s modus operandi—a terror strategy to target hospitals, schools, religious buildings and markets.
Will such attacks weaken the AA’s struggle?
Absolutely not. Massacres like this will never break the spirit of the Rakhine people fighting for liberation. On the contrary, they strengthen our unity and determination. These injustices make our resistance not only legitimate but necessary. The more the junta oppresses and kills, the stronger our revolutionary resolve and unity become.
Do you have a message for the people?
In wars, civilians inevitably suffer. This is true for every country experiencing armed conflict. In Myanmar, it is worse because the fascist military deliberately targets the people. But the suffering must not be in vain. When freedom is finally won, we will enjoy the rewards of our sacrifices.
The truth is simple: the more they oppress us, the harder we resist. If they don’t want us to revolt, then they shouldn’t oppress us. But if they do, we will resist even harder to break the yoke. Killing civilians will never crush the Rakhine spirit. We will fight until the end, until liberation is achieved.
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