October 22, 2024
In Ann and Maungdaw townships of Rakhine State, military shelling and airstrikes resulted in the deaths of eight innocent civilians and injuries to 24 others on October 21, according to reports.
In the village of Laugsap in Ann Township, military forces opened fire around 2 PM on October 21, killing three innocent civilians and injuring five others severely. Villagers reported that the military intentionally targeted Laugsap village, where there was no fighting.
The deceased included 17-year-old Ko Phyo Min Thu, 60-year-old U Nyo, and 70-year-old U Aung Thein, while the injured included 14-year-old Ma Chit Thet Wai, 39-year-old Daw Nhan Ei Phyu, 46-year-old Daw Soe Soe, 58-year-old U Tin Thein, and 70-year-old Daw Tin Nu.
During the villagers’ time in hiding, military personnel also set fire to Lon village in Ann Township on October 21, causing the village to be entirely burnt down, according to local residents.
Before entering the village, the military fired artillery, and then in the afternoon, military forces entered Lon village and destroyed every home by setting them ablaze. Lon village had approximately 260 houses and was only about two miles away from the Western Military Command (Navy). The villagers had been in hiding for over a month.
Additionally, in northern Maungdaw Township, military forces conducted airstrikes on Fawachang village on October 21 at around 1:44 AM. Local residents stated that the military targeted the village with airstrikes, intending to cause civilian casualties, even though there were no active battles in the area.
The military airstrikes resulted in the deaths of five people, including a pregnant woman, and left 19 others injured. The deceased included 20-year-old Ko Maung Maung, 26-year-old Ma Aye Aye Aung (the pregnant woman), 26-year-old Ma Thi Tar, 29-year-old Ko Nay Zaw U, and 58-year-old Daw Hla Hla Aye.
On the morning of October 19, military vessels from the junta also shelled Duniangpin Gyi village in Maungdaw township, injuring five innocent Muslim civilians. The injured included 17-year-old Ya Bia, 29-year-old A Ya, 42-year-old Ha Saung, 34-year-old I Ni, and 65-year-old Ko Beer.
It is reported that the military is deliberately targeting civilian-populated villages with aerial and heavy artillery strikes as part of their operations.
