The Myanmar military launched a coordinated aerial bombardment on mountain ranges in northern Mrauk-U Township, Rakhine State, on July 20, using multiple fighter jets and a transport aircraft to drop heavy munitions, according to local sources.

At around 2:00 p.m., three fighter jets and a Y-12 utility aircraft targeted mountainous terrain near Kyauksepyin Village, dropping at least ten 500-pound bombs over one hour. The targeted area sits along the border between Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw townships.

Residents in nearby villages reported seeing thick smoke rising from the bombardment sites, forcing many to seek refuge in bomb shelters amid fears of follow-up attacks.

"We saw the planes flying in formation and dropping bombs continuously, about once every ten minutes," a resident told Development Media Group (DMG). "Because the bombs fell deep in the mountains, it remains unclear if there are casualties."

The attack in Mrauk-U is part of a broader escalation in military airstrikes across Rakhine State.

Between July 13 and 19, the junta launched similar air raids across Ponnagyun, Taungup, Thandwe, Pauktaw, and Gwa townships. On July 19 alone, strikes on Taungup, Thandwe, and Ponnagyun killed five civilians and injured 29 others, including three Buddhist monks.

Local observers and residents believe the regime’s sustained campaign is designed to terrorize civilian populations and disrupt the administrative structures being established by the Arakan Army (AA), which controls vast swathes of the state.

The surge in aerial attacks comes despite recent overtures from military regime leader Min Aung Hlaing, who invited ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to peace talks following a controversial election.

The AA has publicly condemned the military's actions, calling the continued strikes a direct contradiction of any genuine commitment to peace.