Myanmar Junta Launches Waves of Air Raids on Kyauktaw Mountain Ranges

The Myanmar military deployed formations of fighter jets and Y-12 transport aircraft to conduct heavy, continuous bombing raids on mountain ranges in Arakan (Rakhine) State's Kyauktaw Township early Thursday morning.

Residents reported that three fighter jets and a Y-12 aircraft flew over in formations, dropping at least 30 bombs in waves between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on October 8, targeting the Hminechaung mountain range north of Yokethar and Nagayar villages in upper Kyauktaw Township.

"Formations of junta aircraft flew over and carried out the bombing run," a resident said. "They circled back and dropped bombs continuously, one aircraft after another. Exact casualty figures are not yet verified."

The heavy bombardments have sparked panic in nearby settlements, including Zinchaung, Doetan, and Matin Hminechaung villages. The targeted Hminechaung mountain range serves as critical agricultural land for local farming communities, including the indigenous Mro ethnic minority.

"Many locals rely on these orchards and cultivated plots for their livelihoods," another resident added. "The bombing last night was massive and non-stop, leaving everyone terrified."

The pre-dawn attack is part of an escalating campaign of daily airstrikes across Rakhine State. On October 7, junta aircraft flew repeated sorties, dropping dozens of bombs near the former Military Operations Command 9 (MOC 9) headquarters near Kyauktaw Town, targeting areas surrounding Light Infantry Battalion 376, former cemetery grounds near Aungtawyoe Village, and sites near Nan Tet Theim Pagoda.

Previous strikes in Kyauktaw Township struck Pyidawtha, Paikthel, and Winsu wards on September 25; the Indian Market and Kissapanadi Bridge on September 28; Thakyar Village on September 30; and areas near Chaungtu Village on October 5.

On October 7, junta forces also launched heavy airstrikes on Ngapyi Island and the Kyein Khway Maw mountain range in Werathani Township.

Military analysts note that as ground forces sustain heavy casualties in ongoing clashes near the state capital of Sittwe, the regime has increasingly resorted to retaliatory air attacks across the state. The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has urged residents across Rakhine State to maintain extreme vigilance against ongoing aerial threats.