A junta airstrike targeting a church killed eleven civilians, including two children and severely injured eleven others in Kyeintali Town, Gwa Township, Rakhine State on 15 August 2024.

The airstrike targeting a Christian church in the town hit during the afternoon of 15 August, despite there being no fighting in the area.

A resident said: “No fighting was happening. The Junta military deliberately targeted and bombed the church. The casualties include two children, six women, and some men as well.”

The dead and injured were from Kyeintali Town’s Ward 2 and they had been sheltering in the church at the time of the attack.

Six women and five men were injured. Currently, the Arakan Army (AA) is providing them with medical treatment.

There had been no fighting in Kyeintali Town since all the remaining junta soldiers in the town retreated to Kularpyin (a.k.a. Yadanarmyaing) Village on 13 August following an offensive by the AA.

A Rakhine Activist said: “Targeting civilians where there is no fighting is a war crime. The junta’s airstrikes must be  effectively addressed by the international community.”

Phone and internet networks to Kyeintali Town have been blocked, according to reports.

Kyeintali Town  residents have been fleeing to safer areas because of heavy fighting between the junta and the AA near to Kularpyin (Yadanarmyaing) Village in Gwa Township.

But, residents face difficulties traveling to Gwa Town because the junta has blocked off the Kularpyin Bridge on the road to Gwa Town.