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One Civilian Killed, Seven Injured Including a Buddhist Monk by Military Commission Naval Artillery Fire in Kyaukphyu
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News ၊ May 19, 2026
A civilian was killed and seven others, including a village chief abbot, were injured after a military commission navy vessel anchored in the Zin Chaung sea area opened fire with heavy artillery in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, on the evening of May 17.
Between 10:15 PM and 10:42 PM on May 17, the military commission navy vessel stationed in the Zin Chaung sea area fired at least six heavy artillery shells directly targeting civilian-populated villages.
The artillery shells landed and exploded in Ywar Thit Kay, Pauk Pyin, and Zin Chaung Kon Bway villages.
In Ywar Thit Kay Village, 63-year-old Daw San Aye Nu was struck by artillery shrapnel and died on the spot. Additionally, five other residents—Ma Nandar Aung (14), Daw Ma Win (35), U Kyaw Soe Moe (39), U Soe Tin (60), and U Maung Phoe Yai (79)—sustained shrapnel injuries.
Furthermore, two other artillery shells fired by the navy vessel struck Pauk Pyin Village; one landed inside the monastery compound while the other exploded about 30 meters outside the compound.
The explosions injured the monastery's presiding abbot, U Pyinnyawuntha (59), and a Pauk Pyin villager, Ma Aye Nyein Thu (17), while also causing a section of the monastery building to collapse.
Similarly, at around 10:25 PM that same night, an artillery shell fired by the military commission forces landed and exploded between the homes of U Min Naing Oo and U Kyaw in Zin Chaung Kon Bway Village. The blast destroyed both houses and injured a pig.
Sources confirmed that the injured monk and the six civilians are currently receiving emergency medical treatment.
Local residents reported that intense clashes are ongoing in Kyaukphyu Township between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military commission forces. They added that the military commission forces have been continuously shelling and launching drone strikes on Kyaukphyu town and its surrounding villages.
Source@ABN
