Regime artillery strike kills 10 villagers in Thandwe Twsp

By Admin 15 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
15 May 2024, Thandwe

Ten people were killed in a junta artillery strike on Linthi Village, part of Arakan State’s Thandwe Township, on Tuesday night.

Area military camps and a junta naval base fired multiple mortar shells that exploded in Linthi Village, killing the 10 local people; nine ethnic Kaman people and an Arakanese person.

“Multiple artillery shells fired by the military fell and exploded in Linthi Village at around 8 p.m. on May 14. Eight civilians were killed on the spot and two others died on the way to the hospital. Most of the victims are women. Some civilians were injured in the junta shelling,” said a local resident.

The deceased have been identified as Daw Melia, 80, U Tin Nyunt, 58, U Thungegyi, 50, Ma Hnin Aye Mon, 26, Ma Hnin Myat Mon, 24, Daw Lu Ma, Daw Than Myint, 70, Daw Khin May Lin, and two unknown women.

Local people have accused the military of firing mortar shells into the village intentionally and without any fighting in the area on Tuesday.

DMG was unable to contact junta spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun regarding the matter.

During the latest hostilities, the military regime has increasingly targeted civilians rather than Arakkha Army (AA) forces, a human rights activist in Arakan State said.

“Yesterday, the military regime fired heavy weapons in Thandwe, killing a large number of civilians. The military regime is targeting civilians rather than fighting [the AA] in battle, and continues to commit such war crimes throughout the country. The military regime’s actions need to be taken seriously by the international community,” the activist added.

Fighting between the military and AA is currently escalating near Shwehlay Village, with the regime calling in airstrikes and firing heavy weapons.

“Fighting has been fierce near the Shwehlay Bridge since 3 a.m. on Wednesday. The regime carried out airstrikes and fired mortar shells into the bridge. Locals are worried about their safety due to the mass civilian casualties in Linthi Village,” said another resident.

Fighting between the military and AA broke out in Thandwe Township on April 13, and the warzone continues to expand.

At least 12 civilians have been killed in Thandwe Township as the regime has targeted residential areas following the outbreak of hostilities last month.