Three killed, 28 injured in two days of junta airstrikes on Thandwe

By Admin 25 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

25 July 2026, Thandwe

Three civilians were killed and 28 others injured after the military regime carried out six airstrikes over two consecutive days on Thandwe Township, Arakan State, an area controlled by the Arakan Army.

On July 24 alone, the regime launched four separate airstrikes targeting Ward 8, Ward 7, and Yaykauk Village in Thandwe Township, killing three civilians and injuring 21 others.

According to a statement released by the Arakan Army, a regime jet fighter dropped two bombs near Thitsar Yaungchi Oo Monastery and a nearby school in Ward 8, Thandwe, at around 3:40 p.m. on July 24.

The attack killed a pregnant woman and injured four civilians, including two children under the age of 10. The monastery, school, and several houses were also damaged.

Earlier that day, at around 12:26 p.m., two regime jet fighters bombed the area near a school in Yaykauk Village, damaging several school buildings.

At around 11:20 a.m., another regime jet fighter dropped two bombs near Shwe Yee Restaurant in Ward 7, killing two civilians and injuring 10 others.

Earlier, at around 12:20 a.m., an airstrike near the same location injured seven civilians and destroyed three houses.

The attacks followed airstrikes on July 23, when regime jet fighters twice bombed the Pearl Yadanar Monastery and nearby residential areas in Jittaw Ward, Ngapali, at around noon, injuring six civilians, including a Buddhist monk and a child.

Later that afternoon, at around 1:30 p.m., another airstrike targeted the AZ Family Resort at Lin Tha Beach in Ngapali, injuring one civilian.

The continued airstrikes have heightened fear among residents, with some fleeing Thandwe Township in search of safer locations.

"They come every day, circling overhead before dropping bombs," a female resident of Thandwe told DMG. "The bomb shelters we dug are filled with mud and water because of the rainy season, so we can't use them. When the aircraft appear, we don't know where to run. Even when we go out to buy necessities, we're constantly watching the sky. Some people have fled to stay with relatives in rural areas."

The military regime has intensified airstrikes across several townships in Arakan State, including Thandwe.

Political analysts say the escalating attacks are intended to terrorize civilians and destroy property in an effort to pressure the Arakan Army into participating in the regime's 100-day peace initiative.

"It appears the regime still harbours deep resentment over losing Thandwe," another local resident said. "Their attitude seems to be that if they cannot control the town, they will not allow the people to live in peace. Thandwe was home to major hotels and businesses owned by senior military leaders and their associates. Now that they have lost control, they are destroying it."

After self-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing assumed office, the military regime launched a 100-day peace initiative running from April 20 to July 31, inviting Ethnic Armed Organizations and revolutionary groups to hold talks.

So far, the regime has held meetings with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, Shan State Progress Party, United Wa State Army, National Democratic Alliance Army, and New Mon State Party.

Reports also indicate that talks with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army are being planned. However, revolutionary forces engaged in active fighting, including the Arakan Army and the Kachin Independence Army, have not joined the regime's peace initiative.

The Arakan Army has said the regime's calls for peace are contradicted by its continued airstrikes on civilian areas across Arakan State, arguing that its actions undermine the credibility of its peace initiative.