The Junta facing severe setbacks in battles across the country, has escalated airstrikes on civilian areas without military targets in Maungdaw Township on the western frontier of Rakhine State, where fighting is intense, causing tens of thousands of locals from 30 villages to flee.
According to the Muslim and Rakhine communities in Maungdaw, tens of thousands of locals from over 30 Rohingya and Muslim villages are currently fleeing to safety.
"In Maungdaw, the Junta's relentless airstrikes are deliberately targeting the civilian areas, while villages also endure artillery fire, igniting fires and claiming lives among residents. As a consequence, tens of thousands of Rakhine and Muslim locals are forced to flee”, a Maungdaw resident said.
At approximately 4:00 am on May 21, the Junta forces launched airstrikes using jet fighters on Rakhine villages of Shaw Baho, Tharay Konbaung, and Ngwetaung in Maungdaw Township. Tragically, this assault led to civilian casualties, claiming the life of Ma Pann Ei Phyu (25), a dedicated social worker from the Maungdaw Karuna Network, and injuring over 10 individuals.
Around noon on May 14, the coup Junta conducted airstrikes on Kinchaung Rakhine village in southern Maungdaw. Tragically, this attack resulted in the deaths of three residents and inflicted serious injuries on at least six others.
On May 19, at approximately 10:00 am, a jet fighter dropped three bombs on Tharay Konbaung village in southern Maungdaw. This attack resulted in the injury of two residents and the destruction of five houses, including a rural clinic.
As a result of the frequent airstrikes carried out by Junta forces, tens of thousands of residents from more than 30 Rakhine and Muslim villages are seeking refuge for their safety.
"Besides the Rakhine locals, some Rohingya have also fled to the areas controlled by the Arakha Army (AA). Some Muslims have also sought shelter in Bangladesh. The total number of residents who have fled is in the tens of thousands”, a Muslim resident from Maungdaw told Narinjara.
According to residents, among the Muslim villages fleeing are La Baw Zar, Paung Zar, Gaw Nyar, Kanyin Taw, Thi Ho Taw, and Zin Bai Nyar. Meanwhile, Rakhine villages such as Pyar Thar, Ngwetaung, Tharyar Kone, Magyee Kone, Thittaw, 4-Mile, Ywar Thar Yar, Kan Pyin Thar Si, Ah Htet Kan Thar Yar, Ah Lel Kan Thar Yar, Thar Si Kone, 3-Mile, Wai Thar Li, Baw Di Kone, Shwe Yin Aye, Kha Yae Myaing, Shwe Baho, and Tharay Konbaung are also affected.
