Junta steps up airstrikes across Arakan State amid heavy ground losses, Arakan Army says

By Admin 05 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

5 August 2026, Mrauk-U

The military junta is intensifying airstrikes across Arakan State after suffering heavy casualties in ground battles along the border and inside the state, according to a statement issued by the Arakan Army on Wednesday.

The statement said the regime is continuing major offensives in areas bordering Arakan State, including Magway, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions, as well as southern Chin State.

"Unable to gain the upper hand and sustaining heavy casualties while attempting ground offensives into Arakan State, the junta is increasingly relying on its air power, which remains its main military advantage," the Arakan Army said.

On the night of August 4, shortly after 9 p.m., fighter jets and Y-12 aircraft dropped more than 30 bombs near the former Light Infantry Battalion No. 540 and former No. 31 Police Battalion in Mrauk-U.

"There were about three fighter jets. They dropped more than 10 bombs. Shortly afterward, a Y-12 aircraft arrived and dropped more than 20 additional bombs. Local residents were extremely frightened," said a 25-year-old resident of Mrauk-U.

The Arakan Army said the regime's repeated airstrikes on areas under its control have heightened fear among local residents.

According to the statement, the regime has carried out airstrikes across Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Thandwe, Gwa, Kyeintali and Virathani, as well as areas along the border between Ponnagyun and Sittwe townships.

The statement added that the regime continues to target civilian-populated towns, villages, hospitals, schools and religious buildings with day-and-night airstrikes, while also shelling those areas with heavy weapons fired from naval vessels.

According to data compiled by DMG, junta airstrikes across Arakan State killed 22 civilians and injured 66 others during July.