Junta bombings kill 27 civilians, injure 38 across Arakan State, Paletwa in two weeks: DMG tally

By Admin 15 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

15 August 2026, Thandwe

At least 65 civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured in military junta airstrikes across Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State over the past two weeks, according to data compiled by DMG.

The military junta conducted at least eight bombing raids between August 1 and 14, targeting Mrauk-U, Ann, Thandwe and Gwa townships, as well as Paletwa Township, killing 27 civilians and injuring 38 others.

The casualty breakdown shows 16 killed and 20 injured in Thandwe Township; eight killed and one injured in Gwa Township; two killed and three injured in Ann Township; four injured in Mrauk-U Township; and one killed and 10 injured in Paletwa Township.

Observers said the military junta, facing battlefield defeats, is deliberately carrying out aerial bombardments targeting civilians in areas controlled by the Arakan Army.

"Whether losing on the battlefield or calling for peace talks, the military junta resorts to committing atrocities and slaughtering civilians to force its agenda. Revolutionary forces, on the other hand, prioritize civilian well-being. Because these forces enjoy strong public support, the junta acts out of malice and cruelty," writer Wai Hun Aung told DMG.

Multiple mass-casualty incidents resulting from airstrikes occurred this month, claiming numerous lives, including women and children.

On August 10, a junta airstrike on Kyaukkyi Village in Thandwe Township killed 16 local residents and injured 18 others.

On August 13, a separate airstrike on Kyeintali Town in Gwa Township killed eight residents, including young children, and injured one other person.

"We no longer view this as military strikes, but as aerial terrorism. They are targeting non-military targets, including displaced persons and flood survivors, primarily focusing on Arakan State. Suffering losses militarily, politically and diplomatically, they are indiscriminately targeting Arakan State with airstrikes," said Captain Zin Yaw, a military defector.

Analysts warned that continued international inaction over junta airstrikes, which they describe as war crimes, could result in further loss of life and devastation for local residents.

Local residents across Arakan State live in constant fear of daily air threats and remain cautious as they move around.

"In their daily lives, local residents live in constant terror and apprehension. Because danger could strike from above at any moment, people must stay alert at all times," an Arakanese woman said.

Facing severe losses in ground combat, the military regime has resorted to day-and-night aerial bombardments targeting civilians. The Arakan Army has warned the public to remain highly vigilant against air threats.

According to a DMG tally, 11 mass-casualty incidents involving 10 or more civilian casualties from airstrikes occurred in Arakan State and Paletwa between January 2026 and August 14, 2026.

Those incidents resulted in 89 civilian deaths and 139 injuries, for a total of 228 casualties, according to DMG data.