Ngapali town airstrike, 2 civilians injured

(August 4) Mizzima. The junta forces carried out an airstrike on residential buildings in Jittaw (9) Ward, Ngapali town, Thandwe Township, Rakhine State, on the morning of August 3, injuring two civilians and damaging many houses and buildings, according to local military news releases. According to the releases, the junta forces used three jet fighters and one Y-12 aircraft to drop nearly 60 bombs on Jittaw (9) Ward starting around 10:30 a.m. It is reported that U Kyaw Thu Naing, 41, and Daw Ma San Myint, 60, were injured in the attack. The statement said that no one was killed as most of the residents were able to evacuate to safety in time. In addition, about 20 houses, buildings, and bungalows were damaged, and daily necessities were also lost. The estimated value of the damage is over 30 million kyats (approximately $17,000 USD). Revolutionary forces and human rights organizations have accused the junta of frequently carrying out airstrikes on residential areas, schools, hospitals, markets, and religious buildings across the country, including Rakhine State, during the ongoing conflict. Fighting continues between the junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, and airstrikes have become more frequent as military tensions escalate. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have expressed concern over airstrikes that harm civilians and have urged all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and abide by international humanitarian law.