Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 6 January 2025

The junta forces launched airstrikes on Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun townships of  Arakan State, killing four people including three women and a child, and injuring many others.

The victims included two Muslim women ( Mrs Jona Begum and Mrs Ma Jaw) and a 12-year-old boy (Raha Nawdi) from Wa Kin village as well as a 17-year-old Arakanese woman (Ma Zin Mar Khine) from Aun Zone Pyin village.

A male resident of Ponnagyun told Narinjara News that at around 3 pm on 5 January, a fighter jet dropped three bombs over a crowd near Aun Zone Pyin village. The explosions, which occurred in three separate locations, resulted in multiple deaths & injuries.

"One bomb killed a Muslim mother, her son, and another Muslim woman instantly. They were from Kyauktaw and came there to make a phone call as the phone line was functional in that area. The child's body was completely torn apart. Another bomb struck Aun Zone Pyin village, killing a 17-year-old Arakanese woman and also damaging an auto-rickshaw," he added.

The deceased, Ma Zin Mar Khine, was a vendor selling goods. A bomb was dropped over the crowd and  she died of injuries.

Another local resident told Narinjara News that during the airstrikes, one bomb fell northeast of Aun Zone Pyin village and another near a parking lot whereas the third one fell near a mountain causing injuries to several residents.

"A number of people sustained injuries, but the exact number is yet to be known. The situation remains clumsy as the phone lines are not working there," he added.

The political analysts view the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians as a sign of the junta's opposition to the Arakan Army (AA)'s stance on resolving the conflict through political dialogues.

On 31 December, the junta soldiers launched airstrikes on Yoe Ta Yote village under Ponnagyun township killing five people, including two women and a 9-year-old boy.