Junta attacks kill 42 civilians, injure 50 in Arakan State in February

By Admin 28 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

28 February 2026, Ponnagyun

Civilian casualties continued to rise in Arakan State in February amid airstrikes and artillery attacks by Myanmar’s military regime.

According to figures compiled by DMG, a total of 92 civilians were killed or injured during the month, including 42 deaths and 50 injuries.

The casualties were primarily caused by airstrikes, drone attacks and heavy artillery shelling, with airstrikes accounting for the highest number of victims.

Airstrikes resulted in 35 deaths and 35 injuries, while heavy artillery fire caused two deaths and three injuries. The casualty count also includes seven people affected by unexploded ordnance and 10 injured in drone attacks.

On February 24, the military regime carried out an airstrike on a local market in Yoengu Village, Ponnagyun Township, killing 20 civilians, including children, and injuring 13 others in a mass casualty incident.

On February 12, a junta airstrike on Paikthae Ward in Kyauktaw Township left four residents dead and nine injured.

“I am absolutely heartbroken. My sister’s children were severely injured by the junta airstrike. I urge the international community to take strong action against military leader Min Aung Hlaing,” said Daw Yi Yi, a resident of Paikthae Ward.

Among those killed and injured by airstrikes, artillery and landmines in February were 13 children, nine killed and four injured, and 50 women, including 24 deaths and 26 injuries. Women accounted for the highest number of casualties.

Male casualties totaled 42, including 16 deaths and 26 injuries, according to DMG data.

By township, fatalities were reported as follows: four in Kyauktaw, 10 in Kyaukphyu, two in Minbya, two in Ramree, 20 in Ponnagyun and four in Mrauk-U.

A total of 50 injuries were reported across eight townships: nine in Kyauktaw, 12 in Kyaukphyu, one in Maungdaw, four in Ramree, three in Thandwe, three in Ann, 12 in Ponnagyun, and six in Mrauk-U.

The Arakan Army currently controls 14 townships in Arakan State. Despite this, the military regime continues to launch airstrikes, artillery and drone attacks on both areas under Arakan Army control and territories under its own administration.

The targeting of non-military sites, including schools, hospitals, markets, monasteries and residential areas, has contributed to a rise in civilian casualties in recent months.

“These actions are war crimes and a violation of the Geneva Conventions. The military regime is deliberately harming civilians in areas where there is no active fighting. I want to call on the international community to take effective action against the military regime,” said U Myat Tun, Chairman of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.

On February 25, the ULA’s Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) issued a statement condemning junta airstrikes that have resulted in civilian deaths in Arakan State.

Ongoing air and artillery attacks have left residents dead or injured, destroyed homes and property, and caused severe physical and psychological trauma.

Amid intensified fighting, residents from several villages have fled to safer areas to escape continued aerial bombardment and shelling.