Two dead and three injured in Ponnagyun due to Myanmar junta airstrikes

Mizzima

An airstrike conducted by the Myanmar military junta on Ponnagyun, Rakhine State on 13 September left one woman and one man dead, and three others injured, according to a statement released 14 September by the News and Information Department of the Arakan Army (AA).

At approximately 12:56 PM 13 September, a junta jet fighter carried out three bombing runs and opened fire with machine guns near the suspension bridge at the foot of the historic U Rit Taw Pagoda hill in the town. According to the statement, Daw Soe Soe, 38, from Zedi Yin village, and U Moe Moe, 56, a visitor from Rathedaung town, died on the spot after being struck by shrapnel.

The statement identified the injured as nine-year-old Ma Phyu Phway, 71-year-old Daw Kyawt Sein, and 43-year-old U Aung Win Maung.

The AA said the junta is carrying out daily airstrikes targeting non-military, civilian-populated areas in Ponnagyun, Taungup, Gwa, and Samee townships, resulting in mounting civilian casualties and widespread destruction of homes.

In the early hours of 12 September, at around 12:36 AM, a suicide drone strike targeted a monastery in Kyauk Seik village, Ponnagyun Township. The attack struck an internally displaced mother and daughter with shrapnel; the mother, Daw Hla Than Yin, sustained severe injuries and later died while undergoing medical treatment. At around 4:15 PM that same day, junta forces launched an airstrike near Bway Li village in Samee Township, destroying civilian homes, shops, and a vehicle, the AA statement said.

On 11 September at around 4:00 PM, two jet fighters bombed Ywa Thit Kay village in Taungup Township. U Tin Maung, 59, died on the spot from a fatal shrapnel wound to the head, while U Myint Shwe, 67, was injured. The attack also destroyed two homes and killed a cow.

On 10 September at approximately 9:45 PM, a jet fighter dropped two bombs on Wards No. 1 and 2 of Kyeintali town in Gwa Township. U Kyaw Khin, 85, from Ward No. 1, died on the spot, U Chit San Maung, 55, was injured, and nine homes were destroyed.

On 4 September, the junta also carried out an airstrike on the historic Gu Wa Pagoda in Ponnagyun, damaging several Buddha images.