Myanmar escalates air raids in Rakhine

Yangon – Myanmar’s military has intensified aerial assaults across Rakhine State after failing to retake territory from the Arakan Army (AA), leaving dozens of civilians dead and injured.

On Sunday, an airstrike in Thandwe Township killed two people and wounded six more. Earlier raids this month struck Kyaukkyi village, where 14 civilians died and a Buddhist monastery was destroyed, and Kyeintali town in Gwa Township, where eight were killed.

Analysts say the regime has turned to non‑precision bombing after its counteroffensive collapsed in southern Rakhine. “Civilians have become the primary target because the military is unable to recapture territory lost to the AA on the ground,” one political observer told DVB.

Conflict data compiled by ACLED shows 85 verified aerial attacks since late March, when General Ye Win Oo replaced Min Aung Hlaing as commander‑in‑chief. At least 80 civilians have been confirmed killed and nearly 190 injured in that period.

The AA now controls 14 of Rakhine’s 17 townships, along with Paletwa in neighbouring Chin State. Civil society groups warn that continued bombardments of residential areas and public infrastructure will drive mass displacement across western Myanmar.

Meanwhile, regime forces are pressing a counteroffensive in Sagaing Region to secure the Kalewa–Monywa highway, part of the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral transport corridor.

Despite claims of control, resistance forces say fighting continues, with ambushes disrupting supply lines and tens of thousands displaced from villages along the route.

The escalation underscores the junta’s reliance on air power as ground operations falter, raising fears of worsening humanitarian crises in both Rakhine and Sagaing.

-2026-08-17