Thandwe locals flee homes again amid intense junta airstrikes

By Admin 27 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

27 August 2026, Thandwe

The military junta has been launching intense airstrikes across Thandwe Township, Arakan State, increasing civilian casualties and causing growing damage to homes and infrastructure.

With residents no longer feeling safe, many are unable to remain in their communities and have fled to safer areas.

"Junta airstrikes frequently targeted Jeittaw Ward in Ngapali, so our relatives could no longer stay there. They fled to our area about a week ago. Entire families are escaping, with others reaching different villages as well," said a woman from Thalu Byein Village in Ramree Township.

Residents of Thandwe Town and the Ngapali beach area, where the junta has concentrated its airstrikes, are taking refuge in Taungup and Ramree townships.

Displaced residents fleeing Thandwe Township face severe hardships while staying temporarily with relatives or in makeshift shelters near forested areas.

"Some are staying near the foothills. Those with relatives in town are staying with family. But those taking refuge in forested and mountainous areas face difficulties ranging from securing food to finding basic shelter," a local man from Taungup Township said.

The military junta has been carrying out airstrikes in Thandwe Township since last July, deploying aircraft formations and dropping hundreds of bombs.

On August 21, the junta launched a one-hour bombing campaign targeting at least three locations in Thandwe Township using 10 aircraft, including jet fighters, Y-12 and Y-8 aircraft, dropping around 100 bombs, according to the Arakan Army.

The attack left one civilian dead, 14 injured, and damaged multiple homes and buildings.

"Aircraft hover overhead almost daily now. They have been bombing every other day since last month, so we cannot stay at all and had to flee to rural areas. We only return to town briefly for essential matters. Even shopkeepers have closed down out of fear of airstrikes," a female resident of Thandwe said.

Amid continuous airstrikes, Thandwe residents report severe economic disruption and worsening livelihood conditions.

The military junta has intensified airstrikes against areas controlled by the Arakan Army, leading to rising civilian casualties. According to data compiled by DMG, more than 100 civilians have been killed or injured in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State this month.