Civilian casualties continued to surge in areas of Arakan (Rakhine State) controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) throughout February due to junta airstrikes and artillery attacks.
According to data collected by DMG, 92 civilians were killed or injured during the month: 42 fatalities and 50 injuries.
Airstrikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling caused most of the casualties, with airstrikes accounting for the majority of deaths and injuries.
Airstrikes led to 35 deaths and 35 injuries, while artillery fire caused 2 deaths and 3 injuries. The figures also include 7 people wounded by unexploded ordnance blasts and 10 injured in drone attacks.
On February 24, a junta airstrike hit a market in Yoengu Village, Ponnagyun Township, killing 20 civilians, including children, and injuring 13 others.
Earlier, on February 12, an airstrike on Pikethae Ward in Kyauktaw Township left 4 residents dead and 9 injured.
“I’m devastated. My sister’s children were badly hurt in the airstrike. The international community needs to take firm action against Min Aung Hlaing and his regime,” said Daw Yi Yi, a resident of Pikethae Ward.
Among those killed and injured by airstrikes, artillery fire and landmines in February were 13 children (9 killed and 4 injured) and 50 women (24 deaths and 26 injuries). Women made up the largest share of casualties. Male casualties totaled 42 (16 deaths and 26 injuries).
By township, the 42 deaths were recorded as follows: 4 in Kyauktaw, 10 in Kyaukphyu, 2 in Minbya, 2 in Ramree, 20 in Ponnagyun and 4 in Mrauk-U.
The 50 injuries were reported across eight townships: 9 in Kyauktaw, 12 in Kyaukphyu, 1 in Maungdaw, 4 in Ramree, 3 in Thandwe, 3 in Ann, 12 in Ponnagyun and 6 in Mrauk-U.
The AA currently controls 14 townships in Arakan State. Meanwhile, the junta continues to carry out airstrikes, artillery shelling and drone attacks not only in areas administered by the AA but also in territories under its own control.
Strikes on civilian sites including schools, hospitals, markets, monasteries and residential neighborhoods have driven the recent surge in casualties.
“These are war crimes. The junta clearly violated the Geneva Conventions. The coup regime is intentionally targeting civilians in places where there’s no fighting. The international community must take real, effective measures against it,” said U Myat Tun, chairman of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.
On February 25, the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) of the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), released a statement condemning the junta’s airstrikes that have killed civilians in Arakan State.
Ongoing aerial and artillery attacks have killed and injured residents, destroyed homes and property, and left survivors suffering both physically and psychologically. As fighting intensifies, villagers from several communities have fled to safer locations to escape continued bombing and shelling.
