Civilian casualties mount as junta escalates drone strikes in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 27 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

27 March 2026, Kyaukphyu

Civilian casualties are rising in Kyaukphyu Township as the military regime intensifies drone-delivered airstrikes targeting residential villages in recent days.

On the morning of March 25, three villagers were injured when the regime carried out a drone strike using two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on Kyattein Village in Kyaukphyu Township.

The injured were identified as 39-year-old U Maung Mya Aye and 17-year-old Ma Phyu Hla Win, both from Kyattein Village, and 37-year-old Daw Ma Lone, an internally displaced person (IDP) from Leikpyindwein Village.

“The regime has been conducting daily drone strikes in Kyaukphyu Township recently. They are deliberately targeting areas where civilians and IDPs reside. The junta is specifically focusing its attacks on Sanae Town, Kyattein Village, and nearby communities,” said a local resident involved in social assistance.

During the incident in Kyattein Village, U Maung Mya Aye sustained shrapnel wounds to his right calf, Ma Phyu Hla Win to her right thigh, and Daw Ma Lone to her left arm.

Reports indicate that the regime used “suicide drones” in two consecutive attacks on Kyattein Village on March 25.

Similarly, on March 23 and 24, at least four local residents were injured in drone strikes on Sanae Town. As a result, residents have once again been forced to flee to safer locations.

“Since the drone attacks began, people have moved to villages where they have relatives. Many townspeople had only returned about two months ago, but they are now displaced again due to these strikes,” a Kyaukphyu resident said.

The Taung Maw Gyi naval station, a strategically important base for the regime, is located near Sanae Town. Local sources say the junta is launching drones from this station to strike civilian-populated areas.

Another resident said: “As Sanae Town is close to the Taung Maw Gyi naval station, the military likely views the town as a potential launch point for an offensive against the base. We believe these airstrikes and surveillance activities are intended to preempt such a move.”

Amid intensifying conflict in Kyaukphyu, the regime has frequently conducted airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling from warships, targeting not only military positions but also civilian villages and areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA).

In a separate incident on March 20, the regime reportedly attacked a monastery in Kyaukpyauk Village, Kyaukphyu Township, using two drones.

Observers and locals say the military is employing such tactics as psychological warfare to instill fear and panic among the population.