One killed, nine injured in junta attacks from above in Arakan State 

By Admin 11 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
11 December 2023, Minbya

Junta artillery strikes and a drone attack killed one civilian and injured nine others in Arakan State on December 10.

A teenage girl was killed and eight others were injured when an artillery shell fired by junta troops stationed at Kyein Taung Pagoda in Minbya landed and exploded in Okkarpyan Ward at about 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“A mortar shell fell in Minbya’s Okkarpyan Ward while the children were playing in front of a home. The teenage girl sustained shrapnel wounds to her head and was pronounced dead on the scene. Eight others received shrapnel wounds,” said a local woman.

The deceased has been identified as Ma Sabel, 13. The injured are currently receiving medical treatment.

Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy in Wahbo Village, Sittwe Township, was injured in a drone attack launched by the military at around 11 a.m. on December 10. As the boy is said to be in critical condition, he is being treated at Sittwe General Hospital.

“A junta drone dropped a bomb, landing near the boy’s home. The boy sustained injuries to his face; he was admitted to Sittwe Hospital at once,” said a local woman.

A home in the village was reportedly destroyed by the junta drone attack. Residents in Wahbo Village have fled to safer locations in fear due to the junta’s drone strike, which took place without there being fighting in the area.

A home in Padetha Village, Ponnagyun Township, was also damaged after a mortar shell fired by a military regiment based in Pardalaik Village, Sittwe Township, landed in the village on December 10.

The regime is accused of targeting civilians who are not involved in the fighting in Arakan State, using heavy weapons and small arms fire, and burning homes and food.

“The regime instills fear in the people and is cruel like fascists,” said U Aung Thaung Shwe, an Arakanese politician. “The regime has no laws or [respect for] human rights. The people should have a revolution to topple the regime that treats the people as enemies and attacks them.”

So far at least 26 people were killed and 110 others have been injured in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township during the latest hostilities, according to a DMG tally.