Arakan State records highest toll as 63 women killed in junta attacks in February: advocacy group

By Admin 10 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

10 March 2026, Kyauktaw

A report released by the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU) on March 10 states that 63 women were killed and 66 others injured in February 2026 due to junta airstrikes and other attacks.

According to the report, the military regime continues to commit war crimes and various human rights violations.

“The military regime is committing war crimes and various human rights violations through different forms of violence. Women are losing their lives in their daily lives due to these violations, including conflict-related sexual violence,” the BWU report stated.

The report said the 63 deaths recorded in February included 46 caused by airstrikes, eight by heavy artillery shelling, seven by extrajudicial killings, and two by gunshot wounds.

Of the total deaths, 22 occurred in Arakan State, the highest number recorded among all regions.

The report also noted that the actual number of casualties could be higher due to difficulties in collecting information from ground-level sources.

A women’s rights activist in Arakan State said international organizations need to take stronger action to prevent such incidents, as the military regime continues to target civilian areas.

“Attacks on non-military areas constitute war crimes. Organizations and responsible authorities must take fair and effective action to prevent further deaths of women caused by the military regime’s violence,” the activist said.

The military regime has repeatedly targeted civilian areas, including schools, hospitals, clinics, religious buildings and camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

On September 12, 2025, 20 students were killed and 21 injured when junta airstrikes struck the ‘Pyinnyar Pan Khin’ and ‘Ah Myin Thit’ private high schools in Thayet Tabin Village, Kyauktaw Township.

“I don’t want anyone else to experience this kind of tragedy. I pray that people who can overthrow the military regime will emerge soon,” said Ma Nwe Mar San, a family member of victims of the attack.

On December 10, 2025, International Human Rights Day, the junta bombed Mrauk-U Hospital, killing 33 civilians and injuring 78.

According to the BWU report, the 66 women injured in February included 41 wounded in airstrikes, 13 in artillery shelling, 10 by landmines, and two cases of conflict-related sexual violence.