Junta Airstrikes by over 10 junta aircraft on Thandwe and Gwa leave over 20 civilians dead and injured

News ၊ August 22, 2026

Photo - AA info Desk

At least one civilian was killed and 22 others were injured after the military junta launched group airstrikes using more than 10 aircraft on Ngapali town in Thandwe Township and Gwa Township, according to a statement released by the Arakan Army (AA) today.

The statement noted that around midnight on August 21, while the public was asleep, eight jet fighters, one Y-12, and one Y-8 aircraft carried out coordinated strikes. They dropped approximately 100 bombs on the former bases of Light Infantry Battalions 55 and 566 in Ngapali—where junta forces had previously stationed—and on surrounding areas where displaced civilians were taking shelter.

During the airstrike lasting over an hour, from roughly 2:00 AM to past 3:00 AM on August 21, one displaced civilian taking shelter in Ngapali was killed, and 14 others sustained injuries.

Later that morning, at around 5:00 AM, a jet fighter bombed Nyaung Chaung Village in Gwa Township twice.

First Strike (5:00 AM): A 500-pound bomb dropped on the village high school injured seven displaced civilians seeking refuge inside and completely destroyed one school building.

Second Strike (5:05 AM): Another bomb dropped on the Dhamma Rakkhita Monastery injured one civilian. The strike destroyed monastery buildings, three residential houses, civilian belongings, a peanut oil mill, a motorcycle, and a bicycle.

The military junta continues to conduct repeated airstrikes on non-military civilian areas across Arakan State and Myanmar, leading to a rising toll of civilian casualties and structural destruction.

Consequently, the AA urged residents in the Arakan region to exercise heightened vigilance regarding air and naval threats from the military junta.

Air raids in Arakan State between August 1 and August 21 have resulted in nearly 100 civilian casualties.

Source@AAinfodesk