Junta airstrikes kill 39 civilians, injure 105 during 100-Day Peace Initiative: DMG tally

By Admin 07 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 August 2026, Thandwe

Military regime airstrikes across Arakan State killed 39 civilians and injured 105 others during its "100-Day Peace Initiative," according to a DMG tally.

Since launching the initiative, the regime has continuously deployed reinforcements from Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions, as well as Chin State, in an attempt to advance into Arakan State, while carrying out heavy airstrikes on townships controlled by the Arakan Army.

Military and political analysts said the regime has refused to acknowledge the realities on the ground in Arakan State, instead attempting to pressure the Arakan Army militarily while simultaneously calling for peace talks.

"Peace talks can be conducted from a position of disadvantage, between equal parties, unconditionally, or from a position of strength. While the puppet government claims it wants peace, it lacks the courage to invite the Arakan Army to talks on equal terms," writer Wai Hun Aung told DMG.

"The regime is losing on the battlefield yet behaves as though it holds the upper hand," he added. "Unable to defeat the Arakan Army, it bombs civilians to instill fear and pressure them into negotiations. In short, it is trying to impose peace through brutal means."

During the 100-Day Peace Initiative, Gwa and Thandwe townships experienced the heaviest airstrikes among areas controlled by the Arakan Army, resulting in the highest civilian casualties.

In July alone, junta airstrikes in Thandwe Township killed seven civilians and injured 40 others.

Local residents strongly condemned the regime's attacks on civilians.

"The military junta is carrying out airstrikes across the country, including in areas where there is no active fighting. Innocent women and children are among the dead and injured. We want the military junta to stop these airstrikes against innocent civilians immediately," a young Arakanese woman told DMG.

The military regime launched its 100-Day Peace Initiative after Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency, inviting all ethnic armed organisations to Nay Pyi Taw for talks between April 21 and July 31, 2026.

Political and military analysts said the initiative failed because the regime was unable to engage with the active revolutionary forces fighting on the ground.

"By relying on military force and airstrikes, the regime appears to believe civilian suffering will pressure resistance forces into coming to Nay Pyi Taw. However, the Arakan Army has made it clear that no negotiations are possible while these attacks continue. As airstrikes persist, battles for the remaining regime-held towns in Arakan State are likely to intensify, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the bombardment. The regime's actions reveal a two-faced strategy, using its air power to intimidate the public," a military observer in Arakan State said.

The Arakan Army has stated that the regime's calls for peace while continuing to bomb civilians in Arakan State contradict the very principle of peace, maintaining that meaningful political dialogue is impossible under such circumstances.

As the regime continues its air campaign across Arakan State, fighting remains intense near Gwa, where junta forces are attempting to advance from Ayeyarwady Region.

Clashes are also continuing in the remaining regime-held areas of Kyaukphyu and Sittwe townships, with the conflict around Kyaukphyu expanding.