Junta airstrikes cause 11 mass-casualty incidents in Arakan State this year

By Admin 13 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

13 August 2026, Thandwe

Military junta airstrikes have caused 11 mass-casualty incidents, each resulting in at least 10 civilian casualties, in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State so far this year, according to data compiled by DMG.

The attacks have caused a total of 228 civilian casualties, including 89 deaths and 139 injuries.

The incidents include airstrikes on Chaungtu detention camp in Kyauktaw Township on January 20, 2026; Kyauktaw Town on February 12; Yoengu Village in Ponnagyun Township on February 24; Kyaukselpyin Village in Mrauk-U Township on April 19; Peinhnetaung Village in Ramree Township on May 28; Yammarkyun Village in Gwa Township on June 15; and Kyauktaw Town on June 17.

They also include bombings in Maei Town on July 19; Thandwe Town on July 23 and 24; the August 10 bombing of Kyaukkyi Village in Thandwe Township; and recent airstrikes in Paletwa, Chin State.

"Since the launch of the '100-Day Plan,' the regime has carried out daily airstrikes targeting Arakan State. The military junta inherently possesses a terrorist nature. Because of this terrorist nature, whenever the military regime fails to achieve victory on the battlefield or attempts to force parties to the peace table, it commits atrocities, massacres and acts of cruelty against civilians to suit its objectives," said writer Wai Hun Aung.

Among the mass-casualty incidents caused by junta airstrikes, the highest casualty figures were recorded in the bombings of Yoengu Village in Ponnagyun, Chaungtu detention camp in Kyauktaw, Kyauktaw Town and, most recently, Kyaukkyi Village in Thandwe Township.

Those four incidents alone accounted for 138 civilian casualties.

Military analysts said the junta, facing battlefield losses, is increasingly relying on airstrikes against targets in Arakan State while continuing to attack civilians.

"This can be described as the most horrific and brutal period. Under military chief Ye Win Oo, fleet airstrikes are being launched repeatedly against Arakan State. However, the Arakan Army has been unable to counter these aerial attacks. Taking advantage of this, the regime has acted with extreme brutality. Regional countries and the international community must designate a No-Fly Zone. Otherwise, the losses and harm suffered by the people of Arakan will grow even worse," said Captain Zin Yaw, a military defector.

After former military chief Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency, he launched the "100-Day Plan" and extended peace invitations to ethnic armed organisations while simultaneously intensifying airstrikes.

Particularly in Arakan State, the regime has targeted civilian towns and villages in an apparent effort to pressure the Arakan Army into peace negotiations from a position of leverage.

Under relentless junta airstrikes, civilians continue to face daily loss of life as bombing raids persist.

Junta airstrikes have deprived Arakan residents of physical safety while creating constant challenges to their daily survival.

"With the military regime carrying out intense airstrikes across Arakan State, we live in constant fear wherever we go. But to feed our families, we must steel ourselves and do whatever work we can find despite the anxiety," said a local resident in Arakan State.

Civilian casualties in Arakan State have steadily increased since the start of the town-capture battles, accompanied by a growing number of mass-casualty incidents.

According to DMG records, 24 mass-casualty incidents, each resulting in at least 10 casualties, occurred between the resumption of fighting in November 2023 and August 2026.

As the military junta steps up airstrikes amid battlefield defeats, the Arakan Army has urged the public to remain vigilant against airstrikes and other aerial threats.