Myanmar naval artillery strike in Kyaukphyu leaves elderly woman dead and seven others injured, including a monk

Mizzima

An elderly woman was killed and a presiding monk along with six other civilians were injured after a junta navy vessel stationed off Zin Chaung in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, shelled the area with artillery fire, local residents said.

Between 10:15 pm to 10:42 pm on 17 May the navy stationed in the Zin Chaung Sea fired at least six artillery shells into civilian-populated villages, residents said.

The artillery shells struck Ywa Thit Kay village, Pauk Pyin village and Zin Chaung Khon Bwe village. Daw San Aye Nu, 63, from Ywa Thit Kay village, was killed after being hit directly by shellfire, residents said.

A resident of Kyaukphyu said the navy fired numerous artillery shells throughout the night, striking nearby villages while residents were asleep. “People had no time to react or seek shelter, and some were killed,” the resident said, adding that villagers remain traumatized by the attack.

Among those injured in the attack were Ma Nandar Aung, 14, Daw Ma Win, 35, U Kyaw Soe Moe, 39, U Soe Tin, 60, and U Maung Po Yaing, 79, all residents of Ywa Thit Kay village.

Local residents said two additional artillery shells fired by the junta’s navy exploded at a monastery in Pauk Pyin village, one inside the compound and another about 30 meters away. The shells injured the presiding monk, U Pinnyar Wun Sa, 59, and Ma Aye Nyein Thu, 17, and also caused partial damage to the monastery.

Similarly, at around 10 pm on 17 May, an artillery shell fired by junta forces based in Kyaukphyu town exploded between the homes of U Min Naing Oo and U Kyaw in Zin Chaung Khon Bwe village, destroying both houses, residents said.

A resident of Kyaukphyu said fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the junta has intensified in the area, with junta forces increasingly relying on heavy weapons and drone strikes as they struggle on the front lines.

“They are continuously attacking the town and nearby villages by land, sea and air, and civilians are the ones suffering the most,” the resident said.

The injured monk and six other civilians are currently receiving emergency medical treatment, local residents said.

Local residents said that in recent days, intense fighting has erupted between the AA and the military junta in Kyaukphyu Township, with junta forces repeatedly targeting Kyaukphyu and surrounding villages using heavy weapons and attack drones.