Junta attacks last month kill 56 civilians, injure 48 in Arakan State

By Admin 01 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
1 August 2024, Sittwe

At least 56 civilians were killed and 48 others were injured last month by junta gunfire, shellings, airstrikes, landmine blasts and torture at interrogation centres in Arakan State, where military tensions are escalating, according to a DMG tally.

The actual number of civilians killed and injured in junta attacks is likely higher on the ground in Arakan State, where telecommunications networks are spotty or nonexistent.

By township, the deceased included 13 from Thandwe, 18 from Maungdaw, 14 from Buthidaung, two each from Sittwe and Minbya, three each from Ponnagyun and Kyaukphyu and one from Gwa. Among the injured were 12 from Thandwe, 25 from Maungdaw, one each from Sittwe, Minbya, Kyaukphyu and Gwa, four from Ponnagyun and three from Taungup.

An Arakanese politician said there are “hundreds of civilian casualties in Arakan State every month,” adding: “Most civilian casualties were caused by the regime’s airstrikes. The regime’s attacks on civilians will continue. As people, it is important to create safe places to live.”

Fierce clashes between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) have been reported in Maungdaw and Thandwe townships, where civilian casualties were highest last month.

Civilian casualties are also increasing due to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) in areas where military tensions are running high, and in areas now under AA control.

“Local people still lack awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Concerned officials need to disseminate awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war. There is a need to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war in the AA-controlled areas,” said a social activist.

Using the same DMG criteria for tallying casualties blamed on the junta war machine, at least 42 civilians were killed and 94 others were injured in Arakan State in June.

Civilian casualties have risen steadily in the eight-plus months since fighting between the military and AA resumed in Arakan State on November 13.