Civilian casualties rise in Kyaukphyu amid junta artillery and airstrikes

By Admin 16 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

16 February 2026, Kyaukphyu

Casualties are mounting in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, as the military regime continues to target civilian-populated areas with airstrikes and heavy artillery fire.

On the evening of February 15, junta warships stationed offshore fired at least 10 artillery shells at Wamyaung and Ngaoak villages, according to local residents.

The shelling was followed by a drone attack that killed a mother and her daughter in Wamyaung Village and injured four other civilians. In Ngaoak Village, four residents were also wounded.

The deceased were identified as 43-year-old Daw Khin San Wai and her 5-year-old daughter, Ma Khin Htet Htet Soe, both from Wamyaung Village.

“Junta warships at sea launched artillery shells, while troops stationed in Minpyin and Yaynantaung villages also opened fire, resulting in civilian casualties. In Ngaoak Village, one cow was killed, four people were injured, and four houses were burned down,” said Ko Naing Lin Tun, chairman of the Zinchaung Youths Association.

In a separate incident at around 6 p.m. on February 15, the regime carried out an airstrike on Minpyin Village, reportedly killing a woman and a child. DMG is continuing to investigate the details of the incident.

The bombardment began earlier on February 14, when a junta warship shelled Kyaukkalay and Kyaukpyauk villages, killing 80-year-old Daw Saw Ma Phyu in Kyaukpyauk Village.

“When the military regime senses it is losing a battle, it stops fighting combatants and starts targeting civilians. They believe that by killing civilians, the Arakan Army (AA) will retreat out of sympathy. Because they do not wage a fair fight, civilians are the ones who suffer,” said a local youth in Kyaukphyu.

According to data compiled by DMG, at least 30 civilians have been killed or injured in Kyaukphyu Township due to junta airstrikes and shelling between January 1 and February 16 this year.

Clashes between the military and the Arakan Army have continued for nearly two years in Kyaukphyu Township, with fighting remaining intense.