The military junta continues to carry out airstrikes on towns in Rakhine State controlled by the Arakan Army (AA).
According to an AA statement, at approximately midnight on August 17th, the junta used a fighter jet to bomb Auk Zi Kine Village in Rathedaung Township, killing one civilian and destroying three houses.
U Aung Min Oo, editor-in-chief of the Development Media Group (DMG) and a political analyst, told IMNA that the junta has been targeting civilians in Rakhine as it suffers military losses against the AA and its allied forces in Kyaukphyu and the Ayeyarwady Region.
“The junta has suffered heavy casualties in the Ayeyarwady area as the Arakan Army and allied forces have launched counter offensives that it has been unable to withstand. It has also suffered significant losses in Kyaukphyu and has been forced to withdraw from some positions. Because of these losses, the junta has been targeting Rakhine civilians with airstrikes, including attacks involving multiple aircraft. As a result, many civilians have been killed, while homes, public buildings, and other property have been destroyed,” he said.
U Aung Min Oo added that the junta has also launched ground offensives against AA-controlled areas from Ayeyarwady, Magway, and Bago regions. However, these operations have failed to make significant gains and have resulted in further casualties.
On August 16, the junta carried out an airstrike near Thandwe in Rakhine State, killing a father and his son and injuring six other civilians.
A Rakhine resident told IMNA that the junta’s continued airstrikes appear aimed at preventing civilians in AA-controlled areas from living safely and peacefully.
“It is not primarily a military threat. The main target is the civilian population. Since they have lost control of these areas, we believe they are trying to make it difficult for local people to live peacefully in the territories they no longer control,” the resident said.
The resident added that although the junta has attempted to retake lost territory through ground offensives, it has been unable to advance and continues to suffer losses.
Local residents also reported that the junta has increasingly carried out airstrikes using multiple aircraft flying in formation.
U Aung Min Oo said the attacks appear to be generating resentment and a stronger desire to resist rather than fear among the population.
“When the military cannot defeat the Arakan Army, it resorts to airstrikes to try to intimidate the people. But we see this as a strategic mistake. Instead of making people afraid, these attacks are creating more resentment toward the junta and strengthening their desire to resist. The military is openly targeting civilians as though it can violate their rights without consequence. But in reality, these attacks are having the opposite effect. They are strengthening the Arakan Army and increasing public support for it. That is why we believe targeting civilians through airstrikes is ultimately a strategic mistake,” he said.
The AA is reported to control 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, as well as the Paletwa area of Chin State. Fighting between the AA and the junta continues in areas including Sittwe and Kyaukphyu.
The AA has urged civilians across Rakhine State to remain “vigilant at all times” in response to the continuing threat of airstrikes.
IMNA