Junta aerial attacks force school closures across three Arakan townships

By Admin 17 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

17 October 2026, Ponnagyun

Continued military airstrikes across Arakan State have forced schools to close in Ponnagyun, Werathani and Kyauktaw townships, disrupting local children’s education, community sources reported.

As fighting intensifies near Ponnagyun Township and neighbouring Sittwe, numerous schools have suspended operations because of the constant threat of aerial bombardment.

Locals reported that daily airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling by junta forces targeting Ponnagyun town and nearby villages have made it impossible for children to attend school safely.

“In Ponnagyun Township, schools in villages near the town have been closed,” a local resident said. “This is because of airstrikes and the daily sounds of artillery fire.”

In more than 10 villages across Ponnagyun Township, parents are keeping their children at home because of serious safety concerns, bringing formal schooling to a complete halt, according to local education personnel.

In Kyauktaw town, schools have remained closed since a devastating air attack on September 28. Fearing further aerial bombardment, parents are refusing to send their children to class.

“In Kyauktaw town, schools have been shut down since the day of the bombing,” a Kyauktaw parent said. “Parents are terrified and unwilling to send their children, while teachers are also unable to conduct classes safely. Even when we used to send our children, parents had to run and retrieve them whenever planes appeared overhead. Now, schools are completely closed.”

Since intense fighting broke out in Arakan State in 2023, local communities have had to operate schools in relocated, makeshift facilities to avoid junta airstrikes.

To ensure children did not lose access to education entirely, the United League of Arakan (ULA) established its Department of Education in late 2024 to systematically open and manage formal schools across territories under its control.

However, as military junta air attacks have become increasingly indiscriminate and severe in recent weeks, educational facilities are once again being forced to close.

Fierce clashes continue daily around Sittwe city, while the military junta continues to intensify airstrikes targeting towns, rural villages, schools, hospitals, clinics and displacement camps throughout Arakan State.