Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray) — Myanmar military junta forces launched aerial bombardments on villages in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, on 18 March 2026, following the deaths of at least 10 soldiers in a landmine attack.
The air strikes, which included drone attacks and jet fighter bombings, destroyed civilian homes and killed a 60-year-old internally displaced person (IDP) named U Tin Htee Khaing in Do Taung village.
On 18 March, a column of around 100 junta soldiers entered an Arakan Army (AA)-controlled area, where they encountered landmines while attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers, resulting in at least 10 soldier deaths.
Following this, the junta targeted Do Taung village with drone strikes around 11 a.m. and further airstrikes by a jet fighter at 6:00 p.m. and 6:18 p.m. on 18 March.
U Tin Htee Khine, a 60-year-old man who had fled fighting in Chường Mắạn village, was killed instantly by shrapnel in Do Taung village.
Several houses, including those of U Mya Maung Win and U Thein Nyunt Che in Do Taung village, were damaged.
The violence intensified after the transfer of the 11th Division to the Kyaukphyu battlefield.
This incident follows an earlier surge in violence in the region, where junta airstrikes and arson attacks have destroyed over 700 homes across at least 11 villages in Kyaukphyu Township over the past year.
