Myanmar Air Force Bombings Kill One, Injure Three, and Destroy 20 Houses in Arakan State

Narinjara, 8 September 2026

The Myanmar military has carried out heavy air and naval attacks on Thandwe, Gwa, and Ponnagyun townships in Arakan State, killing an elderly civilian woman, injuring three others, and destroying 20 houses, according to a statement released by the Arakan Army (AA) on September 8.

According to the AA, the military launched coordinated air and naval attacks on Thandwe and Gwa townships starting at 10:27 a.m. on September 7.

During the initial strike, a military fighter jet dropped two bombs on Ward No. 8 in Thandwe town. The attack killed 83-year-old Daw Than Than Kywe, an innocent civilian residing in the neighborhood.

Three other residents, Ma Moh Moh Myint Aung (28), Daw Aye Aye Kywe (66), and Ko Yan Naung Htet (28), sustained injuries, and eight homes were destroyed.

Following the airstrikes, Myanmar military warships anchored off the coast of Gwa and Thandwe fired heavy artillery shells toward coastal areas between 11:26 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Later that afternoon, at around 2:52 p.m., the military bombed Kyauk Gyi and Samp Gyi villages in Thandwe Township. While no civilian casualties were reported in this secondary attack, eight additional houses were completely destroyed.

Separately, at around 9:30 a.m. yesterday, a military fighter jet targeted Fat Kya Village in Ponnagyun Township, destroying four houses.

In response to the major rebel offensive known as Operation 1027, conducted by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the AA,the Myanmar military has launched a counter-offensive dubbed "Operation 4926." Junta forces are currently attempting to retake territory in Thandwe, Gwa, and Ponnagyun townships.

The AA statement claims that because the military is losing ground on the battlefield, it has increasingly resorted to bombardment campaigns targeting civilian residential areas and local villages.