Regime continues to bomb Ngapali Beach, Thandwe

By Admin 08 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

8 August 2026, Thandwe

The military junta has launched daily airstrikes on Thandwe Township, home to Arakan State's premier tourism destination, Ngapali Beach, since early July, resulting in a steadily rising civilian death toll.

Between July 19 and August 3, 2026, the regime bombed the area on seven of 12 days, carrying out two to four consecutive airstrikes each day.

The attacks have targeted Thandwe's urban wards, surrounding rural villages and the Ngapali hotel zone.

The bombardment has killed seven civilians, injured 40 others and damaged homes, hotels, factories, commercial businesses and other infrastructure.

On July 23, the regime bombed the AZ Family Resort along Lintha Beach in Ngapali, causing civilian casualties and damaging the resort.

Thandwe Township is home to Ngapali Beach, major hotel and tourism infrastructure and an airport serving commercial airlines, making it a key hub for commerce and foreign investment.

Political analysts suggest the regime is relentlessly targeting Thandwe because of its resentment over losing control of the area.

"The regime had extensive investments in Thandwe and Ngapali. Since they lost control, they are acting with a 'spoilsport' mentality: if they cannot have it, no one can," Arakanese political analyst U Bo Myat Tun told DMG. "Senior officers, including Min Aung Hlaing and other top officials, had significant investments in the hotel zone. That is why they are desperately targeting it."

Thandwe serves as a key commercial and tourism hub for southern Arakan State and previously hosted the regime's strategic Maung Shwe Lay naval station.

In addition to daily airstrikes, junta warships continue to operate off the coast, heightening anxiety among local residents.

"Previously, only a single aircraft would carry out an attack. Now, three or four aircraft of various types arrive at once. Because we are on the coast, naval shelling has also increased. Civilian deaths and injuries are mounting, leaving us terrified about how much worse it might get," a male Thandwe resident said.

Locals have condemned the military for using airstrikes, heavy artillery and drones against civilians.

Residents said the continuous bombardment across Thandwe and Arakan State is intended to instil fear among the public.

Faced with daily attacks, many Thandwe residents have fled their homes for safer areas.

"In the past, we could hear approaching aircraft in advance. Now, we only hear them about 10 seconds before the bombs drop, by which time it is already too late. People have no time to hide or run. It is far more terrifying than before. Street vendors and locals cannot continue their livelihoods, and many have fled," said a member of a local civil society organisation in Thandwe.

The Arakan Army launched its offensive in Thandwe Township on April 13, 2024, and captured the entire township nearly five months later on September 5, 2024.

Although the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government has established public administration, judicial, educational and healthcare services in Thandwe Township, junta airstrikes continue to pose a constant threat to civilian lives.

Analysts note that, given Thandwe's proximity to Gwa Township and Ayeyarwady Region, the junta uses air and naval strikes to disrupt stability and make the area increasingly uninhabitable for civilians.