Arakan records joint-highest armed incidents in September: NLTA

By Admin 02 Nov 2026

DMG Newsroom

2 November 2026, Yangon

Arakan (Rakhine State) recorded the joint-highest number of armed incidents in Myanmar in September 2026, while military airstrikes killed at least 50 civilians and injured 65 others in Kyauktaw Township, according to a report by independent research organisation Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica (NLTA).

The organisation's Frontline Armed Incident Tracker: September 2026 documented 44 armed incidents each in Arakan and Kachin State, the highest figures nationwide. Armed incidents in Arakan increased by 267 percent compared with August, while Kachin recorded a 57 percent rise.

Nationwide, military operations and armed clashes increased by 1.39 percent from the previous month.

NLTA recorded at least 219 armed incidents and military operations across 67 townships, including 154 combat engagements between Myanmar's military and armed resistance groups.

Drone attacks accounted for 22 incidents, followed by 11 artillery attacks.

In Arakan, the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed organisation controlling most of the state, continued offensive operations against military positions around Sittwe, the state capital.

According to the report, AA forces captured six military outposts in Sittwe Township between September 12 and 23.

Myanmar military forces temporarily captured an AA position on September 9, but AA troops retook it on September 12.

Across Myanmar, resistance forces captured 12 outposts, while military forces seized two resistance-held positions.

The report highlighted the heavy civilian toll from military airstrikes.

NLTA documented 421 incidents classified as attacks targeting civilians by Myanmar military forces nationwide, resulting in 225 deaths and 373 injuries.

Airstrikes accounted for 126 civilian deaths and 229 injuries. Arakan recorded 40 such airstrike incidents, the highest number nationwide, followed by Sagaing Region with 18.

Kyauktaw Township recorded the highest civilian casualties from military airstrikes, with 50 people killed and 65 injured during September, according to NLTA.

Separately, the United Nations reported that military airstrikes near Kyauktaw's India Market and Kissapanadi Bridge on September 28 killed at least 50 civilians and injured at least 58 others.

The UN raised concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law, while international investigators called for evidence concerning the attack.

Across Myanmar, NLTA documented 433 incidents of attacks targeting civilians by military forces, resistance groups and unidentified armed actors, resulting in 233 deaths, 379 injuries and 462 arrests.

Of those detained, 458 were reportedly arrested by military forces, many in connection with forced recruitment or their alleged use as human shields.

Separately, armed clashes and military operations caused at least 11 civilian deaths and 11 injuries.

NLTA said its findings were compiled from 43 news media outlets and statements issued by resistance organisations. It warned that actual casualties could be higher because unverified incidents were excluded.

DMG could not independently verify all incidents and casualty figures documented in the report.