Over 50 civilians killed by junta air, artillery attacks in Arakan State last month 

By Admin 01 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom 
1 April 2024, Sittwe 

Civilian casualties inflicted by the Myanmar regime’s air and artillery strikes continue to rise in Arakan State as the regime has been targeting residential areas in retaliation for its recent string of military defeats.

According to a DMG tally, 54 civilians died and 122 were injured at the hands of the regime in Arakan State in March. The actual figures are likely to be higher.

Civilian casualties were highest in Mrauk-U, Minbya, Ponnagyun and Myebon townships. Ten people were killed in Mrauk-U Township, 26 in Minbya, five each in Sittwe and Myebon, four in Pauktaw, two in Ramree and one each in Ponnagyun and Kyaukphyu.

Nineteen people were injured in Mrauk-U, 38 in Minbya, 28 in Ponnagyun, 16 in Myebon, 12 in Sittwe, four each in Ramree and Rathedaung, and one in Kyaukphyu.

A human rights activist from Arakan State said: “The regime is conducting indiscriminate attacks on civilians and residential areas. They are not following international military law as they are suffering from consecutive defeats. People must exercise caution.”

The AA has seized Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon, Ramree townships and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State since launching an offensive against the regime in November of last year.

The regime is also conducting aerial bombings on towns seized by the AA, causing civilian casualties daily.

“The regime will continue to carry out air raids on areas it has lost control of. It will not let them go easily. It will attempt to destroy the towns it has lost control of,” said a politician from Arakan State.

The AA is currently attacking to seize Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. Ann Township, which is home to the Western Command of the Myanmar military, is also experiencing clashes, and military tensions are also running high in southern Arakan State townships including Kyaukphyu and Taungup.