Regime attacks kill 65 civilians, injure 115 in Arakan State last month

By Admin 01 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
1 November 2024, Sittwe

At least 65 civilians were killed and 115 others were injured last month by junta gunfire, shellings, airstrikes, and landmine blasts in Arakan State, according to a DMG tally.

By township, the deceased included 29 from Taungup, seven each from Maungdaw and Kyauktaw, 13 from Ann, eight from Gwa and one from Thandwe.

Among the injured were 28 people from Taungup, 24 each from Maungdaw and Kyauktaw, 26 from Ann, eight from Gwa, one from Pauktaw and four from Thandwe.

The casualty count was compiled by DMG and the actual number of civilians killed and injured could well be higher on the ground.

Ann, Taungup, Maungdaw and Kyauktaw townships had the highest number of civilian deaths and the highest number of mass casualties due to aerial bombardments.

"We are afraid of the junta airstrikes and we feel insecure," said Ma Aye Myat Thawdar, an internally displaced person (IDP) from Sittwe.

At least nine civilians were killed and 18 others injured on October 29 in junta airstrikes on Ann Township, where fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) is ongoing.

Five civilians were killed and five others were injured in a regime air assault on Moung and Mee Chaung Htoe villages in Taungup Township on October 30.

"I want to keep my children in a safe place. I am very afraid to see my children in danger under my own eyes," said Daw Nu Nu Than, a local woman in Arakan State.

The regime's ongoing bombardment of Arakan State has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, prompting widespread fear among residents.

The regime's airstrikes and artillery attacks killed or injured 85 civilians in Arakan State in September, with the number of civilian casualties more than doubling to 180 in October.

Customary international humanitarian law requires any armed organisation to protect civilians and bars them from attacking, abducting or using civilians as human shields or targeting civilian dwellings.

"The military regime is no longer able to fight the Arakkha Army, and they are conducting airstrikes and artillery fire against the people, and civilian casualties are occurring almost every day. People need to take care of their own safety," said a social activist in Arakan State.