Myanmar's military regime, which has suffered a string of defeats on the Arakan front in recent months, is stepping up its airstrikes and civilian casualties have increased monthly, with September proving to be no different.
Eighty-five civilian casualties were reported last month across Thandwe, Taungup, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Gwa townships due to regime airstrikes, according to a DMG tally.
By township, the fatalities included 18 people from Thandwe, three each from Taungup and Gwa, two from Myebon and one from Ponnagyun. Among the injured were 37 from Thandwe, seven each from Gwa and Myebon, three each from Taungup and Ponnagyun, and one from Rathedaung.
"The Myanmar military is committing war crimes and instilling fear in the people. When we were young, we clapped our hands when a plane came in. We are now afraid if a junta jet fighter comes," said a local man in Taungup.
In Arakan State, there were over 40 civilian casualties reported due to the regime's airstrikes in August, which nearly doubled to more than 80 in September.
Myanmar's military regime continues to carry out airstrikes in Arakan State after designating members of the Brotherhood Alliance - consisting of the Arakkha Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) - as terrorist organisations on September 2.
"The regime's frequent airstrikes have caused civilians to die en masse, making me wonder when it will be my turn," said a local woman in Myebon.
Women and children have been a significant portion of the mass casualties caused by the regime's airstrikes.
At least 14 civilians including children were killed and 30 others were injured in a junta airstrike on the town hall and the office for the township Department of Environmental Conservation in Thandwe on September 26 in the largest single mass casualty event last month.
"The regime's targeting of civilian shelters is a blatant war crime and a violation of the Geneva Conventions," said U Khaing Thukha, spokesman for the AA.
Human rights activists have condemned the regime's targeting of civilians.
"The military regime's attacks on the people are war crimes. Now hundreds of people have died en masse in Arakan State because the military regime has committed genocide," said U Myat Tun, director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.
At least 1,465 civilian casualties were caused by junta airstrikes, artillery attacks, gunfire and landmine blasts during the latest fighting in Arakan State, which began in November of last year, according to a DMG tally.
Fighting between the military and the AA in Arakan State continues to be fierce, and the AA has announced that it will increase its offensive momentum in an effort to capture the remaining junta positions.
