Regime launches coordinated airstrikes on Minbya Twsp with fleet of aircraft

By Admin 08 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

8 April 2026, Minbya

The Myanmar regime reportedly launched a coordinated aerial bombardment using a fleet of aircraft on a mountain range near Paletaung Village in Minbya Township, an area controlled by the Arakan Army in Arakan State, on the morning of April 8.

A local resident said that around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the regime used at least four aircraft, including jet fighters and Y-12 transport aircraft, to drop more than 30 bombs in the vicinity of Paletaung Village.

A local man in Minbya said, "Since this morning, about four planes have been coming and dropping bombs continuously. Both jets and Y-12 aircraft were involved in the attack. There were no fewer than 30 bombs dropped by the junta jet fighters. We do not know about casualties yet. They were circling and bombing the mountain range near the village."

DMG is still working to obtain detailed information regarding the extent of damage and casualties.

Military observers say that President Min Aung Hlaing and the new Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, General Ye Win Oo, have begun using a large number of aircraft to bomb former military bases, civilians, and residential areas across Arakan State.

On April 1, the regime used four jet fighters to bomb the area near Light Infantry Battalion No. 55 in Thandwe. The attack killed a displaced family of four, including two children, and injured two other children and a pregnant woman.

The Arakan Army stated that the incident was the first war crime committed under the leadership of General Ye Win Oo, who was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services on March 30.

A political observer in Arakan State said, "Doing this so openly and with such force is largely related to international changes. Specifically, it is about the lack of progress in cases filed at the ICC and ICJ. Furthermore, because this is a period of global conflict between various nations, human rights are not being prioritized. This creates a mindset where they feel they can act without consequences."

He added, "It is also related to the weakening power of the United Nations. Organizations like ASEAN are in a position where they cannot do anything. It can be said they have the confidence to act recklessly because of the backing of China and Russia. They feel they do not need to consider the people. The regime has a mindset that it will do anything to remain in power."

Observers also say that the regime’s use of coordinated airstrikes in Arakan State is linked to its loss of territory to the Arakan Army and the risk of losing control over the entire state.

As the 17th anniversary of the Arakan Army approaches, analysts warn that the regime may increase airstrikes against civilians, and residents are urged to remain extremely cautious.

In Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, the remaining areas under regime control in Arakan State, fighting remains intense. The regime is reportedly bombing areas away from active battle zones to pressure the Arakan Army to reduce its offensive.