Myanmar junta airstrikes have targeted Thandwe in Rakhine State, killing at least 14 displaced people and injuring more than 25 others on Thursday morning, according to the Arakan Army (AA).
AA spokesman Khaing Thukha said two fighter jets dropped four bombs on the Environmental Protection Office and Thandwe Town Hall, where more than 200 civilians were sheltering.
“The regime knew exactly that people were sheltering there and they intentionally bombed civilians,” Khaing Thukha told The Irrawaddy. “Targeting civilians is a war crime that contravenes the Geneva Conventions.”
He said children and older people were disproportionately affected and the AA’s medics were treating the wounded.
Thandwe was seized by the AA in early September after first attacking the town in April. The armed group seized most of the prized Ngapali beach resort in July.
During the fighting, junta naval ships and fighter jets pounded civilian areas of Thandwe.
Bombardment in early June by the navy, army and air force killed around 10 people and destroyed more than 200 homes in Thandwe Township.
In May, nine Nut Taung Maw villagers in the township were killed by regime bombing.
Thandwe’s mobile phone and internet services have been down since July.
The AA has seized at least 15 towns in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in southern Chin State since last October.
Rakhine State has 17 townships and only the capital Sittwe and Munaung, Ann and Gwa townships remain under junta control with 13 townships partially or entirely held by the AA.
