Residents of Thandwe Township in Arakan State are fleeing their homes as Myanmar forces intensify attacks from both the air and sea, with coastal villages coming under heavy artillery fire and airstrikes.
Junta warships positioned along the Thandwe coast opened fire on nearby villages on September 7, while military aircraft carried out separate bombing raids over Thandwe Town, Kyaukkyi Village and the Ngapali Beach area, according to local residents.
The attacks have created widespread fear among civilians, particularly fishing communities. Residents said junta warships have been harassing fishing boats and firing at coastal areas, while fighter jets continue to strike populated locations.
An airstrike on Thandwe Town on the morning of September 7 killed an elderly woman and wounded three other civilians, local sources said. The attacks have also damaged civilian livelihoods, with many residents unable to leave their homes or go to sea for fishing.
The combined naval and air campaign has triggered fresh displacement. Residents from at least four or five coastal villages have reportedly moved to safer areas, although some communities have not been completely evacuated.
According to the Burma News International (BNI), the military has intensified its use of air and naval power as it seeks to regain ground lost to the Arakan Army (AA) in southern Arakan State. The escalation has placed coastal communities under increasing pressure as the junta attempts to open new fronts against AA positions.
Military defector Captain Zin Yaw said the junta appears to be trying to stretch AA forces by opening pressure points in several areas. He said the military is seeking opportunities to advance in southern Arakan State, particularly around Gwa, while also maintaining pressure from Sittwe and Rathedaung.
Fighting is also continuing in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships, adding to the pressure on AA forces across the state.
The latest attacks underline the junta's growing reliance on airpower, naval artillery and ground forces to challenge AA-controlled territory. For civilians in Thandwe, the campaign has brought renewed displacement, disrupted livelihoods and growing shortages of food and basic necessities.
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