Six civilians killed by airstrike in northern Rakhine State

Six civilians, including children, were killed and seven others were injured by an airstrike carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Kyaungpho village of Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, on Friday. Kyauktaw, located 60 miles (96 km) northeast of the state capital Sittwe, was seized by the Arakan Army (AA) in February 2024.

“They were killed on the spot. The military bombed two places in the village,” a Kyauktaw resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that four homes were destroyed.

One resident of another Kyauktaw village was killed and four others were injured by a regime airstrike on Feb. 9.

Twenty-two students were killed and at least 20 others were injured at Kyauktaw’s Pyinyar Pan Kin and Amyin Thit schools in Thayettapin village on Sept. 12.

At least 12 civilians were killed and 31 were injured by airstrikes in Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Pauktaw townships Oct. 29-30. 

The AA has seized control of 14 of Arakan’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chinland, after launching an offensive on Nov. 13, 2023.

It has stated that regime airstrikes have targeted civilians, including children, and claimed that it is committing “war crimes.” 

DVB has documented that 1,849 people have been killed in 2,321 airstrikes nationwide so far this year.

The AA has warned residents to remain vigilant as the regime continues airstrikes against civilian areas.