Dozens of stalls reduced to ashes in airstrike on Taungup market

By Admin 05 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 December 2024, Taungup

Dozens of stalls at Myoma Market in Arakan State's Taungup were reportedly reduced to ashes in a junta air assault on Tuesday.

Two junta jet fighters carried out an aerial bombardment of Taungup's Myoma Market on December 3, burning more than 50 stalls to the ground.

"Two junta jet fighters dropped two bombs on the Myoma Market, destroying several stalls. No casualties were reported in the regime airstrike," said a resident of Taungup.

Several stalls in addition to some homes in Taungup were also burned to the ground in a regime aerial bombardment on November 25.

The Arakkha Army (AA) took control of Taungup last month and continues to attack junta battalions under the No. 5 Military Operations Command.

Critics of the regime say its conduct amounts to war crimes as it targets religious buildings, markets, schools, residential areas, displacement camps and other civilian targets.

"The regime's destruction of markets is the same as burning down public property to prevent people from recovering after the fighting. If the markets are destroyed, the people will face a crisis," said a young man in Minbya.

During the fighting, 22 markets in Pauktaw, Buthidaung, Minbya, Ponnagyun, Sanae, Ramree and Taungup towns suffered fire damage due to the regime's shellings, airstrikes and arson attacks.

The people of Arakan State are facing a food crisis as the regime has attacked and destroyed places where food and food products are available, as well as blocking trade routes.

"The regime is purposely destroying people's lives. The regime is destroying public property. The people are suffering because of the regime's crooked behavior and attacks on civilian areas," said a human rights activist.

The AA has captured 11 townships in Arakan State over the past year, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. The regime continues to bomb AA-controlled towns, causing rising civilian casualties and damage to buildings.