In June, military tensions in Arakan (Rakhine) State escalated sharply, leading to 42 civilian deaths and 94 injuries, totaling 136 casualties due to the Junta's actions, according to statistics compiled by DMG.
Civilian deaths were primarily caused by the Junta's arbitrary small arms fire, artillery shelling, airstrikes, landmines, and excessive interrogations.
Among the civilian fatalities were 24 locals from Thandwe Township, 3 from Ann, 2 from Maungdaw, 6 from Taungup, 2 from Ponnagyun, 4 from Sittwe, and 1 from Gwa.
Thandwe also topped the wounded list with 43 injuries, with Ann recording 2 injuries, Maungdaw with 12, Taungup with 2, Pauktaw with 12, Kyauktaw with 6, Ponnagyun with 12, and one injury each reported from Kyaukphyu, Myebon, Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Rathedaung townships.
“The Junta's human rights violations are severe, with civilian casualties due to its actions increasing month by month. It is imperative for the international community to take decisive action against this regime, which commits grave crimes leading to the deaths of innocent civilians”, DMG’s research and record official said.
Thandwe Township, where the most intense clashes occurred in June, suffered the highest civilian casualties, totaling 67. In Singaung Village, Thandwe, on June 4 alone, Junta’s artillery shelling, drone strikes, and air raids claimed the lives of 14 civilians, with 24 others injured.
Grappling with the Arakha Army (AA)’s intense offensives in Arakan State, the Junta responded by increasing attacks on civilian areas, targeting Arakanese civilians as a retaliation measure.
"After facing significant setbacks, the Junta turned its grudge on the people. It started to view locals with suspicion and became aggressive. The Junta abandoned military ethics and began acting very recklessly”, a Thandwe resident criticized.
International humanitarian laws and ethics call on warring parties to protect civilians, avoid targeting religious buildings, ensure the safety of local communities during conflicts, and refrain from capturing those not involved in the fighting.
"Many women and children not involved in the conflict were killed by the Junta’s reckless actions. In some families, the loss of the main breadwinners caused immense suffering for the other family members, leading to food insecurity and, in some cases, even starvation. It's more like the Junta killed not just one person, but the whole family”, a social activist said.
In Arakan State, intense fighting between the Junta and AA has been ongoing for more than seven months, resulting in most of the northern townships falling into the AA's hands. Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, and Taungup townships are also witnessing fierce battles, and the conflict zone continues to gradually expand.
