Arakan: Military Council Bombards Sittwe and Kyaukphyu Over 200 Homes Destroyed Amid Arakan Conflict.
In a devastating escalation of violence, the Myanmar military council launched airstrikes and artillery attacks on the towns of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, leaving more than 200 homes engulfed in flames. The assault occurred amid ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army and military forces, plunging the region into further turmoil and intensifying the humanitarian crisis in Arakan State.
Relentless Bombardment and Widespread Destruction.
Eyewitnesses reported relentless shelling throughout the night, with entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes. Families fled their homes in terror, seeking refuge in nearby forests and makeshift shelters. The bombardment, which targeted civilian areas, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, who accuse the military of committing war crimes against the ethnic Rohingya and Rakhine populations.
“The fire spread rapidly, and people had no time to save their belongings,” said a resident. “We ran with only the clothes on our backs. Everything is gone.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens.
The destruction of over 200 homes has left thousands homeless, exacerbating an already dire situation. Access to food, clean water, and medical care remains severely limited, and aid organizations struggle to reach those in need due to ongoing hostilities. Displacement camps are swelling with new arrivals, many suffering from trauma and injuries sustained during the attacks.
Local activists are calling for immediate international intervention to protect civilians and pressure Myanmar’s military junta to cease hostilities. “The people of Arakan are caught in the crossfire of a brutal conflict,” one activist stated. “We need the world to act — now.”
The Arakan Army’s Response.
The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group fighting for greater autonomy in Rakhine State, has vowed to retaliate against the military’s aggression. In a statement, the group declared that they would continue defending local communities against what they describe as state-sponsored terrorism.
“Our people have suffered enough,” the statement read. “We will not stand by while the military destroys our homes and massacres our people.”
Global Outcry and Calls for Action.
The latest violence has sparked renewed calls for international sanctions and stronger diplomatic measures against Myanmar’s ruling military council. The United Nations, ASEAN, and global human rights organizations are urging an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors to deliver urgent aid to affected communities.
Meanwhile, Rohingya and Rakhine diaspora communities around the world are organizing protests and online campaigns to raise awareness and demand justice for the victims of the latest attacks.
A Region on Fire, A People in Pain.
As flames continue to smolder in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, the people of Arakan face an uncertain future. The destruction of homes, livelihoods, and entire communities underscores the urgent need for peace and accountability in Myanmar.
This tragedy serves as yet another reminder of the immense suffering endured by the people of Arakan — a suffering that will only end when the cycle of violence is broken, and justice is served.