By: Camp Correspondent
Arakan State — March 27, 2025
Two more civilians have died from injuries sustained in an airstrike carried out by Myanmar’s military junta forces on Aung Phyu Pyin village in Ponna Kyun Township. The attack, launched on the evening of March 25, had already killed three civilians and wounded 14 others, many of whom were in critical condition.
The two civilians who succumbed to their injuries on March 26 were identified as 25-year-old Ko Ye Lin Soe and 19-year-old Ma Aye Myat Wei. Their deaths bring the total number of fatalities from the incident to five, with others still receiving treatment under difficult conditions.
“The injuries were too severe, and the available medical help was insufficient,” said a villager close to the victims’ families. “The families are heartbroken.”
Among the three who died on the spot were 19-year-old Maung Thet Naing, 45-year-old Daw Marie, and 53-year-old U Than Maung. All five victims had originally fled from Leik Kone Pyin village and were living as displaced persons in Aung Phyu Pyin.
Targeting Civilians and Worsening Crisis
The airstrike is part of the junta’s ongoing campaign across Arakan State, where air and artillery attacks have intensified, especially in Ponna Kyun and Pauktaw townships. Local sources report that heavy artillery is being fired from bases in Sittwe, with shells landing in civilian areas.
“The military is attacking indiscriminately—whether it’s civilians or resistance forces,” said U Wai Hnin Aung, a former political prisoner and supporter of war-affected communities. “It is not just war—it is mass killing.”
AA Urges Civilians to Prepare Bomb Shelters
In response to the ongoing attacks, the Arakan Army (AA) has called on civilians to build bomb shelters near their homes and stay alert for signs of air raids. Many families have already begun digging makeshift bunkers, fearing further escalation in the coming days.
The situation remains critical for displaced and resident civilians in Arakan, who are caught between active conflict zones and face restricted access to food, medicine, and shelter.
As airstrikes and artillery fire continue to devastate villages, communities are calling for urgent international attention and humanitarian intervention to protect civilian lives and bring an end to the violence.
