Myanmar Air Force escalates aerial attacks in Rakhine State following failed counteroffensive

A series of relentless airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force across Arakan State has left dozens of civilians dead and injured, as regime forces strike towns and villages seized by the Arakan Army (AA).

On Sunday, an airstrike in Thandwe Township killed at least two civilians and injured six others. Thandwe—located 150 miles (240 km) south of the state capital Sittwe—has been under AA administrative control since July 2024.

A second airstrike on Aug. 16 targeted an area near the Maung Shwe Lay naval base—also seized by the AA in July 2024—though no casualties were reported.