The monthly incidence of mass killings has increased as the military council, which is losing ground on the Arakan front, has escalated its airstrikes.
Records indicate that the junta’s airstrikes resulted in 85 civilian casualties in the townships of Thandwe, Taungup, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, and Gwa in September.
The airstrikes resulted in 27 fatalities: 18 in Thandwe Township, three in Taungup Township, two in Myebon Township, one in Ponnagyun Township, and three in Gwa Township. Additionally, there were 58 injuries—37 in Thandwe, seven in Gwa, three in Taungup, seven in Myaebon, one in Rathedaung, and three in Ponnagyun.
A local man from Taungup said: “The army is instilling fear in the people through its war crimes. We used to watch the planes in the sky and clap our hands in joy as children. Now, we have to find hiding places whenever they come.”
In August, the junta’s airstrikes in Arakan State resulted in more than 40 civilian casualties. In September, that number nearly doubled, exceeding 80 casualties.
The military council intensified its airstrikes following the declaration of the Three Brotherhood Alliance as a terrorist organization on 2 September.
“The junta’s frequent airstrikes lead to mass civilian deaths. When I witness these killings, I can’t help but wonder when it will be my turn,” said a local woman from Myebon.
The majority of the mass civilian casualties resulting from the airstrikes are women and children.
On 16 September, the military council bombed Thandwe with jet fighters, resulting in the deaths of around 40 civilians including the displaced children.
The military council’s targeted attacks on civilian shelters are blatant war crimes and violations of the Geneva Convention, said Arakha Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha.
Human rights activists have condemned the junta’s attacks, stating that the army is deliberately targeting civilians in violation of the Geneva Convention.
“Targeted attacks on civilians constitute war crimes, as the junta is disregarding the rules of warfare due to heavy losses. The mass killings of civilians in Arakan State amount to genocide,” said U Myat Tun, Director of from the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.
According to the records, the total number of civilian casualties caused by the military council in Arakan State from 13 November 2023 to 30 September 2024, reached 1,465.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)