Junta steps up bombing raids in Pauktaw Twsp

By Admin 17 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 June 2024, Pauktaw

Myanmar’s military regime has stepped up its air raids in Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township, which is controlled by the Arakkha Army (AA), inflicting additional civilian casualties.

Four people including a Buddhist monk were injured when a junta jet bombed Kyein Kwe Maw Village on Sunday.

“A junta jet dropped three bombs early Sunday morning. People were injured and houses were damaged. The monk was seriously injured,” said a Pauktaw resident.

Junta naval bases in Sittwe also launched multiple rockets toward Kyein Kwe Maw, Manaw Thiri and other villages on Sunday, said residents.

The regime also carried out bombing raids on four locations including Pauktaw Town, and Manaw Thiri and two other villages on June 11, wounding 10 civilians.

At least 21 people have been injured in the junta’s bombing raids in Pauktaw Township this month.

One human rights activist said: “The regime is not willing to accept defeat and has been deliberately shelling civilians. This will only fill the people with resentment.”

The regime and the AA fought for more than two months in Pauktaw before the AA captured the town on January 24. Pauktaw was the first town seized by the AA in Arakan State.

The junta’s recent air raids have prompted already-displaced civilians in Pauktaw Township to flee to other locations deemed safer.

“We have had to flee since the fighting broke out. Though the AA has seized the town, the regime still conducts airstrikes, forcing us to flee again and again. We live in constant fear,” said a displaced woman from Manaw Thiri Village.

The regime also continues to carry out bombing raids on other townships controlled by the AA.