Myanmar regime launches naval assault on Rakhine coastal town, injuring six civilians

Artillery attacks launched from junta warships injured at least six civilians in a residential neighbourhood in Kyeintali, a town in Rakhine State’s Gwa Township, on Wednesday morning, according to local residents and the Arakan Army (AA), which accused the regime of targeting civilians in retaliation for recent losses. In a statement, the AA said that four naval vessels situated in the Bay of Bengal fired on the town and local beaches a total of 87 times, injuring six residents. Four of the victims were women, and one was a five-year-old girl, the group said. Kyeintali, a town with a population of over 6,000, has been under AA control since it captured all of Gwa, the state’s southernmost township, in December 2024. Since then, the AA has continued its offensive into neighbouring Ayeyarwady Region, targeting the towns of Yegyi, Ingapu, and Lemyethna east of Kyeintali, as well as Thabaung to the south. Regime forces have so far been able to repel AA attacks on the towns. In its statement on Wednesday, the AA described the assault on Kyeintali as retaliation for the junta’s recent heavy losses in fighting along the Rakhine-Ayeyarwady border. The group claims that it has captured four junta forward outposts in Ayeyarwady Region’s Yegyi Township since June 17. AA troops display weapons and ammunition captured from a junta outpost in Ayeyarwady Region’s Yegyi Township in June (Photo: AA Info Desk) The regime has made no official acknowledgement of clashes in the area, but has released statements asserting that it still controls the town of Yegyi, which was included in military-organised elections held in January. Meanwhile, the AA has also reported joint army, navy, and air force operations by the regime aimed at retaking Gwa Township. A source close to the AA told Myanmar Now that the junta has been sending reinforcement troops to the border area, including some that have already arrived in Lemyethna Township, while fighting has also been intense along the road from Monywa to Pathein, the capital of Ayeyarwady Region. “There is fighting every day,” the source said, noting that there is now fighting on four fronts, including Ingapu, where junta forces launched attacks, putting the AA of the defensive. According to the AA, the junta has used jet fighters, drone strikes, and long-range heavy artillery in its attacks on camp bases captured by the group, and on locations where clashes are occurring. On Tuesday, the village of Sipin Kyauk Gyi in Gwa Township was hit by an airstrike, but there were no confirmed reports of casualties. In June, a total of three people were killed and 14 injured in four separate aerial bombings in Gwa Township, according to sources. The AA controls 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chin State. Currently, the AA has opened fronts in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State and Mindat and Kanpetlet in Chin State, while also engaging in clashes with the junta troops in Magway, Ayeyarwady, and Bago regions.

Myanmar regime launches naval assault on Rakhine coastal town, injuring six civilians

The Arakan Army claims the attack on Kyeintali in Gwa Township was carried out as retaliation for recent junta losses on the Rakhine-Ayeyarwady border

Subscribe for full access

Across a border and into a war: A Karenni leader’s final journey

When going home is impossible: Myanmar nationals find solace in Singapore’s Peninsula Plaza

The Russian general behind Moscow’s decades-long military courtship of Myanmar

Explainer: Who are the companies and cronies backing Myanmar junta leader’s Thailand visit?

Subscribe for full access

Related Articles

Myanmar political prisoner Dein Daung dies after delayed medical treatment

Junta column faces strong resistance en route to Hpapun tactical base

Malaysia to invite Myanmar junta leader over Rohingya repatriation push

Myanmar deports US citizen detained over business dispute