Residents dig bomb shelters in Arakan State amid junta airstrike fears

By Admin 19 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

19 December 2025, Mrauk-U

Following the bombing of Mrauk-U Hospital, authorities have instructed local residents to dig bomb shelters amid growing concerns over air and artillery attacks in townships controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.

Residents said bomb shelters were widely dug at individual homes in 2023, but construction later declined as security conditions slightly improved in AA-controlled areas. Many of the shelters were also destroyed during the rainy season.

However, after the recent junta airstrike on Mrauk-U Hospital, the United League of Arakan (ULA) authorities have reportedly ordered residents to rebuild bomb shelters.

“After the Mrauk-U Hospital bombing, administrators imposed fines and instructed villagers to be more careful about digging bomb shelters. In the past, some houses had shelters and others did not. Now, villagers have been warned that those who fail to dig shelters will be fined, so everyone is digging,” said a woman in Mrauk-U Township.

The Arakan Army has also reportedly warned locals to remain alert to the risk of junta airstrikes.

In some villages in Kyauktaw Township, residents are reportedly sleeping outdoors at night due to fears of aerial attacks.

A resident from Apaukwa Village in Kyauktaw Township said, “The military regime has been bombing many townships in Arakan State frequently these days, so we have dug bomb shelters as a precaution. Since the ceasefire with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the military regime has increased air attacks on Arakan State. We are worried because fighter jets often fly over our village.”

Villages in Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships, which are located near Sittwe, are also reportedly digging bomb shelters due to fears of heavy weapons attacks by the military regime.

Military tensions between the junta and the Arakan Army continue in Sittwe Township, where heavy artillery fire has been reported frequently.

In recent days, junta battalions based in Sittwe have fired heavy weapons at Mosel Island in Rathedaung Township and areas along the Mayu Riverbank, resulting in civilian casualties.

“This month, houses in Hsinpaik, Angumaw, Kalarchaung and Yaypaiksone villages, including Mosel Island, were damaged by frequent artillery shelling from junta battalions in Sittwe. As a result, bomb shelters have been dug to protect residents from air and artillery attacks,” said a resident from the Mayu Riverbank area in Rathedaung Township.

In Arakan State, Myanmar Navy warships have also frequently fired heavy weapons from the sea toward coastal areas in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Gwa, while the threat of junta airstrikes persists.

Fighting between the military regime and the Arakan Army continues in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships.