Junta’s indiscriminate attacks traumatising children in Arakan State

By Admin 16 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 May 2024, Sittwe

It has been more than six months since fighting flared anew on November 13 of last year in Arakan State between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA). The regime has used warplanes, warships and artillery to defend against the AA onslaught, and children are going through physical and mental trauma amid the junta’s daily air and artillery strikes, according to their guardians.

A father from Kyauktaw Township said his 5-year-old son used to like airplanes, but he dreads them now and cannot even bear loud noises.

“When my boy is awakened by a loud noise at night, he is scared and tries to find something to hide in. Before the fighting, when he heard the noise of an airplane, he would go out and watch it. Now, he is scared when he hears loud noises from cars and motorbikes as he thinks it is an airplane,” he said.

Over 20 people including an infant were injured in a junta bombing raid on a cottage hospital in Waegyihtaung Village, Kyauktaw Township, on Wednesday. Some have reportedly died.

The regime has repeatedly targeted villages, healthcare facilities, schools and monasteries in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships, which are controlled by the AA, with indiscriminate bombing raids.

“Frequent airstrikes have instilled fear in children. At night, children will suddenly wake up and scream, ‘Airplanes are coming.’ When they are not happy, it has negative impacts on their physical health,” said a mother from Mrauk-U Township.

Guardians have expressed concerns that the junta’s indiscriminate attacks will detrimentally affect the physical and mental development of children.

At least 26 people died and 50 others were injured in the junta’s deliberate attacks on civilians since May 1 in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Kyaukphyu and Thandwe townships. At least 20 casualties are younger than 20 years old, according to a DMG tally.

A female social activist in Arakan State said: “Mental trauma will inhibit the growth of children. We need to join hands in this war period to minimise impacts on children.”

More than 600 civilians were killed or injured by junta air and artillery strikes over the past six months in Arakan State, according to a DMG tally. Many of the casualties have been children.

The regime is blatantly violating the 2019 Child Rights Law by conducting indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population, critics say.