Fighting between the junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State, has dragged on for a year, with civilian casualties inflicted by the junta continuing to rise. Kyaukphyu remains one of the few towns in the region yet to fall to the AA.

February 20 marks the first anniversary of the AA’s offensive to seize the township seat, Kyaukphyu Town. During that period, 51 civilians were killed and 101 injured by the junta, according to figures compiled by DMG.

The junta’s ground offensives, naval artillery barrages, and bombings carried out using paramotors and drones have driven a sharp rise in civilian casualties in Kyaukphyu.

Among the dead and injured were 15 children, including a nine-month-old infant, and more than 30 women.

The junta’s airstrikes, artillery shelling and arson attacks have destroyed more than 700 homes across 11 villages, including Ookin, Shautchaung, Kyanchaing and Katthapyay.

Currently, more than 60,000 people from over 40 villages in Kyaukphyu Township have fled to safer areas and urgently need food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance.